King Center and SCLC Commemorate 43rd Anniversary of Dr. King's Assassination

The 43 rd anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King was recognized at the King’s Center for Non-Violence Social Change on Monday. 

The assassin’s bullet that attempted to shatter the dream of Dr. King—a student at Booker T. Washington High School in the 1940s in southwest Atlanta—did not stop the legacy that he sent forth. Two commemorative services were held  at the King Center by the King Family and SCLC.  Also, a march was led by Martin Luther King, III, Dr. King's son. 

A very diverse group of people visited the King Center. People of different generations, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and from around the world encompassed towards the King Center to remember the visionary.

Alveda King, a niece of Dr. King, summarized the ceremonies by praying  for people to "unify and recommit one’s life as being a living -sacrifice by helping one another, loving each other, and remembering the peace maker."

The King Family and SCLC , in two separated services, laid wreaths at the tomb of Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King.  Two of Dr. King’s children were present:  Rev. Bernice King and Martin Luther King, III. 

King’s wife, Andrea Waters King, and daughter, Dr. King’s only grandchild, also were present. Dr. King’s sister, Christine Farris  and her two children: Angela Christine Farris and Issac Newton Farris , who currently serves as CEO of the King Center were present at the wreath laying Ceremony.

As previously mentioned, Dr. King's niece, Alveda King, daughter of Dr. King's youngest brother, A.D. Williams, was part of the services, as well.

SCLC delegates laid a wreath at King's tomb on Monday afternoon. 

Rev. Dr. Sylvia Tucker, Chairwoman of the Board, Rev. Samuel Mastel, State President of SCLC, Jeremy Ponds, Recording Secretary; and Sunshine Lewis , SCLC National Advocate for Children were present at the dedication service.

Rev. Phil Harris led freedom songs "Ain't gonna let nobody turn me Around" to set the atmosphere .  Austin Broughton, 15 year old of Chamblee Charter delivered a beautiful exceprt of Dr. King's speech "I've Been to the Mountain Top".  Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock, Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church led a Call to Remembrance speaking to the theme "We are One."

On Monday evening, Martin L. King, III led a march from the King Center to the State Capital.  Union Workers  represented as Blue-Collar Workers and Firemen  joined the March in response to Winsconsin  cutting jobs and  benefits for organized laborers.

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