protest march of Black Americans, led by Dr. Abernathy, Martin Luther King’s successor, arrives at the gates of Cape Kennedy: “Beyond that gate is the pride of America, on this side is the shame of America.” Thomas Paine of NASA responds, “If it were possible not to push the button and thereby solve the problem of poverty, believe me, I would.” Thomas Paine then agrees to admit ten Black families of protesters into the VIP galleries. Sixty Blacks will sit, quench their thirst, and eat in the VIP gallery, not far from former President Johnson.
