Yesterday, a dedication ceremony took place in Washington D.C at the Washington Mall for the unveiling of the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial. The ceremony was suppose to be held on the 48 year anniversary of the 1963 "I Have A Dream" speech on August 28th; however, it was postponed because of Hurricane Irene. Reverend Al Sharpton, actress Cicely Tyson, Diahann Carroll, U.S Representative John Lewis, Reverend Joseph Lowery, Andrew Young were amongst those who attended the event, while the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, Mary Mary, Stevie Wonder, and others blessed the ceremony with their lovely vocals. Representative John Lewis spoke at the ceremony and reminisced on the walk in Washington 48 years ago.
"I'm the only one still around."
"He was arrested, jailed, beaten and constantly harassed. His home was bombed. He was stabbed. he suffered the slings and arrows of hate."
"Come and walk in my shoes. Dr. King is telling you that we have changed. We're better people. We're a better nation."
The first family (President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters) also attended the dedication ceremony.The president delivered a speech, where he reflected on progress our country has made since Dr. Martin Luther King's time, but we still have more work to do and face challenges today.
"Nearly 50 years after the March on Washington, our work - Dr. King's work- is not yet complete.
Progress was purchased through enduring the smack of billy clubs and the blast of fire hoses. It was bought with days in jail cells and nights of bomb threats.
"Let us not be trapped by what is. We can't be discouraged by what is. We've got to keep pushing for what ought to be."
"Let us not be trapped by what is. We can't be discouraged by what is. We've got to keep pushing for what ought to be."
"[Dr. King] will stand for all time, among monuments to those who fathered this nation and those who defended it. A black preacher, no official rank or title, somehow gave voice to our deepest dreams and our most lasting ideas. [...]I know we will overcome. I know there are better days ahead. I know this because of the man towering over us."
The 30 foot Martin Luther King status was carved from an extract of a mountain in China. Dr. King's quote "I WAS A DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE PEACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS," is also carved on the statue.Checkout the statue below:
cnn
