Question

In our own nation, the Boston Tea Party represented a massive act of civil disobedience.

Why does King use this allusion?
to establish historical precedent for his actions
to commemorate a beloved US leader
to appeal to his critics’ sense of moral justice
to forge a connection with modern political figures

Answer 1

to establish historical precedent for his actions

He invokes the Boston Tea Party to show that nonviolent civil disobedience has roots in respected American history, thereby legitimizing his tactics and aligning them with widely accepted national values.