ยง 320. Legislative findings and declaration. The legislature finds and
declares that an institution embodying the heritage, ideals and concerns
of the people of the state of New York for peace and social justice as
exemplified by the philosophy and nonviolent leadership of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. is an appropriate response to the significant public
need for the state to develop methods in addition to current law
enforcement responses to curb the use of violence and encourage the
nonviolent management of social conflict.
It is further found and declared that people throughout the state fear
violence and deplore the social injustice that can give rise to
violence. New York state citizens are experiencing increasing racial and
cultural hostilities stemming from rapid social change and real and
perceived conflicts over group and individual interests and they may be
disadvantaged by a lack of problem-solving skills for redressing these
social conflicts.
It is further found and declared that many potentially destructive
conflicts between different societal groups and interests have been
resolved constructively and effectively at the national, state and local
level through the use of nonviolent methods as were advocated and
exemplified by the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It is further found and declared there is a need to examine the
history, nature, elements and future of nonviolent processes for
conflict resolution, and to develop new techniques to promote
nonviolence solutions to economic, political, social and cultural
conflicts in the state. Such activities conducted through government,
private enterprise, and voluntary associations can be strengthened by a
state institution devoted to research, education and training and the
provision of information services with respect to nonviolent conflict
resolution techniques.
To accomplish these public purposes, it therefore is necessary that
the state of New York establish the New York state Martin Luther King,
Jr. institute for nonviolence to serve the citizens of the state and
their government through education and training opportunities, basic and
applied research opportunities, and information services, with respect
to the promotion of nonviolent methods and techniques to resolve
conflicts among individuals and groups of New York state citizens.