Read the excerpt from a letter martin luther king, jr. wrote while imprisoned in birmingham jail in 1963. one who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. based on his behavior in "civil disobedience," how would thoreau most likely feel about king's statement? he would believe that his reasons and king's reasons for protest were completely unrelated. he would disagree with king's belief that one must accept the penalty for political protest. he would believe that king did not understand the nature of political protest. he would agree with king that one should engage in political protest peacefully.