<P> As the march was being planned, activists across the country received bomb threats at their homes and in their offices . The Los Angeles Times received a message saying its headquarters would be bombed unless it printed a message calling the president a "Nigger Lover". Five airplanes were grounded on the morning of August 28 due to bomb threats . A man in Kansas City telephoned the FBI to say he would put a hole between King's eyes; the FBI did not respond . Roy Wilkins was threatened with assassination if he did not leave the country . </P> <P> Thousands traveled by road, rail, and air to Washington D.C. on Wednesday, August 28 . Marchers from Boston traveled overnight and arrived in Washington at 7am after an eight - hour trip, but others took much longer bus rides from places like Milwaukee, Little Rock, and St. Louis . Organizers persuaded New York's MTA to run extra subway trains after midnight on August 28, and the New York City bus terminal was busy throughout the night with peak crowds . A total of 450 buses left New York City from Harlem . Maryland police reported that "by 8: 00 a.m., 100 buses an hour were streaming through the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel ." The United Automobile Workers financed bus transportation for 5,000 of its rank - and - file members, providing the largest single contingent from any organization . </P> <P> One reporter, Fred Powledge, accompanied African - Americans who boarded six buses in Birmingham, Alabama, for the 750 - mile trip to Washington . The New York Times carried his report: </P> <P> The 260 demonstrators, of all ages, carried picnic baskets, water jugs, Bibles and a major weapon - their willingness to march, sing and pray in protest against discrimination . They gathered early this morning (August 27) in Birmingham's Kelly Ingram Park, where state troopers once (four months previous in May) used fire hoses and dog to put down their demonstrations . It was peaceful in the Birmingham park as the marchers waited for the buses . The police, now part of a moderate city power structure, directed traffic around the square and did not interfere with the gathering...An old man commented on the 20 - hour ride, which was bound to be less than comfortable: "You forget we Negroes have been riding buses all our lives . We don't have the money to fly in airplanes ." </P>

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