Harry Belafonte, one of the nation's most prominent African-American performers and social activists, is suing the children of the nation's pre-eminent civil rights leader, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The battle between the families of civil rights titans, over three documents, is detailed in a federal court lawsuit Belafonte filed against Bernice King, Dexter King and Martin Luther King III. The dispute began in 2008 when Belafonte tried to sell the documents through a Sotheby's auction in what he said was a fundraiser for a community organization. The King estate stopped the sale, alleging the documents did not belong to Belafonte. Now, Belafonte, who is 86, is suing to establish his ownership of the materials.Belafonte's dispute with the Kings began in 2008 when he tried to sell the documentsLawsuit: Documents in question were given to Belafonte by King, his aides and widowBelafonte wants a judge to order the papers released to himThe King estate has been aggressive in gaining control of MLK papers from others
Belafonte, as a successful _-American musician and actor, is said to have provided for the very children he is now suing so King could pursue his activism. Belafonte, as a successful African-_ musician and actor, is said to have provided for the very children he is now suing so King could pursue his activism. _ was said to make $8,000 a year as a preacher.