3/31/2005
Media Contact:
Steve Campbell, [317] 327-3622
Monica Whitfield Brase, [317] 327-3690 |
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Mayor to speak at Landmark for Peace rededication
INDIANAPOLIS - Mayor Bart Peterson will join Donnie Walsh, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Dr. Derek Barber King, Sr., nephew of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rep. Bill Crawford and other elected officials in speaking at the rededication of the Landmark for Peace. The Landmark for Peace honors two great Americans - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Sen. Robert Kennedy - and one memorable moment in time at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park.
WHEN: Saturday, April 2, 2005
10 to 11:30 a.m. - Program
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Community Activities
WHERE: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park
1702 Broadway St.
"The Landmark for Peace is an Indianapolis cultural and historical jewel," Mayor Peterson said. "This rededication ceremony will not only pay tribute to the lives of Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy, but it also will highlight an important moment in our city's history."
On April 4, 1968, during a campaign stop in Indianapolis, after receiving word of the assassination of Dr. King, Sen. Kennedy delivered a powerful and heartfelt impromptu speech to the inner city crowd gathered that evening in the park. He spoke about healing the hearts and souls of a nation and called for reconciliation between the races. For those attending the Kennedy presidential campaign speech that warm evening 37 years ago, the gravity of the situation was evident in his voice. Thousands of people were injured and 43 lost their lives in riots throughout the United States as a result of King's murder. Indianapolis, however, remained quiet that night, in part due to Kennedy's plea for peace and understanding.
This historic event was dedicated and memorialized in 1995 with the construction of the Landmark for Peace memorial sculpture. The monument embodies the anti-violence message championed by Dr. King and Sen. Kennedy.
Donnie Walsh also participated in the dedication, representing one of the monument sponsors, the Pacers Foundation.
"I was humbled and honored, as was the whole Pacers organization, to be part of such a moving tribute to two of the most important people in our country's history," Walsh said. "It is important that the lives of Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy always be remembered and the ideals they both worked for - including peace, justice, equality and racial harmony - continue to be furthered."
In addition to remarks from the special guests, the rededication program includes an invocation, choir performance, video presentation and greetings from local, state and federal representatives.
Community activities will follow Saturday's rededication ceremony. They will include an opportunity for children to make an "I have a dream" catcher, where children will be able to construct and keep their own dream catcher, a display of historical items featuring the history of the civil rights movement and of the Martin Luther King Park community, and Peace Learning Center information and activities.
In addition to the rededication ceremony, a program honoring the 37th anniversary of Dr. King's assassination is scheduled.
WHEN: Monday, April 4, 2005
5 to 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park
1702 Broadway St.
Other partners sponsoring both events include Citizens Neighborhood Coalition, Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, Indy Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Office of Congresswoman Julia Carson, Office of U.S. Senator Evan Bayh and the Peace Learning Center.
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