Baron LewisChicago, Illinois
Baron Lewis, 63, said the event brought him to D.C. from Chicago. “Dr. King was like an uncle or a big brother to me. I have a strong respect for what he did and the things he accomplished. It’s...
Charles Arterson, Albany, GA
Albany resident, Charles Arterson, 57, met Dr. King when Arterson was five years old. “He was marching in Albany before he went to Selma. When the cops came to arrest people all the marchers fled except Dr. King. He...
Saundra Boulware, Camp Springs MD
“I was little when I first saw the ‘I have a dream’ speech,” said Saundra Boulware of Camp Springs, Md. “I’m here because I wanted to represent my mother, father grandmother and all my ancestors going back to slave...
Dennis Hawkes, Washington D.C.
“Any able-bodied American should be here. You see people here in wheelchairs and on crutches,” said District resident, Dennis Hawkes, 57. “It’s about honoring a man among men. He epitomized the struggle. A lot of things have changed, but...
Clyde Hale, Tuscaloosa, AL
Clyde Hale, 60, traveled from Tuscaloosa, Ala. with other members of the United Auto Workers, arriving early Sunday morning to witness the dedication ceremony for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. “This is a wonderful occasion. I am...
Hakim Turner, Richmond, VA
“I came here to join in the festivities. It’s a beautiful day and everyone seems so happy to be here,” said 26-year-old Hakim Turner from Richmond, who chose not to enter the memorial site so that he could sell...
Thousands Gather on National Mall for King Dedication
As the sun began to rise over the nation’s capital, Oct. 16, thousands began to gather in the crisp morning air to honor the legacy of one of the most revered and respected men in American history.
Like many others,...
MLK Dedication Sets Tone for Fight for Justice
People of all hues came from all over to pay tribute to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the only one on the mall for someone other than an American president. Charles Arterson and Baron Lewis who say...
