In 1967 Muhammad Ali one of the greatest fighters to ever live refused to call to serve. He was drafted into the United States Army to fight in the Vietnam War. Ali was stripped of everything he had worked for but most importantly his heavy weight title was taken away from him. As Ali was outraged by this he went to court in hopes to plead his case for not joining the United States Army.
Ali believed that what he worked for should not be taken away from him. He also believed due to his religion that he should not fight in any unholy wars. When Ali went to court his first claim was that he followed the Holy Quran which told him that, "We who declare ourselves as righteous Muslims will not take part in no war." Some people believed that Ali was doing this as a way to get out of the war and not have to risk his life. But Ali's next words summed up his true reasoning. "And shoot them for what. They never called me n***r, they never lynched me, they never raped and killed my father." After this it was clear who Ali was mad at. His own country, he was taking a stand against the war.
While riots swarmed the streets and courts in protest of the war and the lack of appreciation for the veterans when they returned, Ali knew that he had to take a stand against his own country. I believe that Ali's stand showed his strength and the power of his voice.
Adding onto the information already provided in the post, the Justice Department concluded that Clay's claim should be denied. The Department wrote that Clay did not meet any of the three basic tests for conscientious objector status; that he is conscientiously opposed to war in any form, that this opposition is based upon religious training and belief, and that this objection is sincere. The Kentucky Appeal Board that was reviewing Clay's administrative appeal denied his claim without stating the reasons why. When Clay refused to report for induction, he was tried and convicted of willful refusal to submit to induction. The Court of Appeals affirmed.
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