 The movement organizers found themselves out of money after the amount of required bail was raised . Because King was the major fundraiser , his associates urged him to travel the country to raise bail money for those arrested . He had , however , previously promised to lead the marchers to jail in solidarity , but hesitated as the planned date arrived . Some SCLC members grew frustrated with his indecisiveness . " I have never seen Martin so troubled " , one of King 's friends later said . After King prayed and reflected alone in his hotel room , he and the campaign leaders decided to defy the injunction and prepared for mass arrests of campaign supporters . To build morale and to recruit volunteers to go to jail , Ralph Abernathy spoke at a mass meeting of Birmingham 's black citizens at the 16th Street Baptist Church : " The eyes of the world are on Birmingham tonight . Bobby Kennedy is looking here at Birmingham , the United States Congress is looking at Birmingham . The Department of Justice is looking at Birmingham . Are you ready , are you ready to make the challenge ? I am ready to go to jail , are you ? " With Abernathy , King was among 50 Birmingham residents ranging in age from 15 to 81 years who were arrested on Good Friday , April 12 , 1963 . It was King 's 13th arrest . 
