Coretta Scott King

=== Opposition to apartheid ===
During the 1980s, Coretta Scott King reaffirmed her long-standing opposition to [[Crime of apartheid|apartheid]], participating in a series of sit-in protests in Washington, D.C., that prompted nationwide demonstrations against [[South Africa under apartheid|South African racial policies]].

King had a 10-day trip to South Africa in September 1986.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3785147.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610214743/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3785147.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2014|title=Mrs. King warns of sanctions 'hardship'|date=September 13, 1986|work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> On September 9, 1986, she cancelled meeting President [[P. W. Botha]] and [[Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3784685.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610214736/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3784685.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2014|title=Mrs. King won't meet Botha|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=September 10, 1986}}</ref> The next day, she met with [[Allan Boesak]]. The UDF leadership, Boesak and Winnie Mandela had threatened to avoid a meeting King if she met with Botha and Buthelezi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3784852.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610214738/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3784852.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2014|title=Key apartheid foe meets King, hails her 'courage'|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=September 11, 1986}}</ref> She also met with Winnie Mandela that day, and called it "one of the greatest and most meaningful moments of my life." Nelson Mandela was still being imprisoned in [[Pollsmoor Prison]] after being transferred from [[Robben Island]] in 1982. Prior to leaving the United States for the meeting, King drew comparisons between the civil rights movement and Mandela's case.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3785068.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610214734/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3785068.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2014|title=King meets Winnie Mandela, denies snub to Botha // Emotions run high for apartheid foes|date=September 12, 1986|work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> Upon her return to the United States, she urged Reagan to approve [[economic sanctions]] against South Africa.