2008 Woodie Awards
Nation marks first Martin Luther King Jr. Day since death of civil rights leader's widow
Errin Haines, Associated Press
Issue date: 1/17/07 Section: News
ATLANTA (AP) - The first Martin Luther King Jr. Day since the death of King's widow and chief keeper of his civil rights dream was marked Monday with speeches, visits to the couple's tomb and the opening of a collection of his papers, including a draft of his "I Have a Dream" speech.
The legacy of Coretta Scott King loomed large over the 21st observance of the King holiday at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King preached.
"It is in her memory and her honor that we must carry this program on," said her sister in law, Christine King Farris. "This is as she would have it."
Mayor Shirley Franklin urged the congregation not to pay tribute to King's message of peace and justice on his birthday and then contradict it the next.
"Millions can't find jobs, have no health insurance and struggle to make ends meet, working minimum-wage jobs. What's going on?" Franklin said, repeating a refrain from soul singer Marvin Gaye.
As King condemned the war in Vietnam 40 years ago, Ebenezer's senior pastor, the Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, denounced the war in Iraq.
"The real danger is not that America may lose the war," Warnock said. "The real danger is that America may well lose its soul."
Visitors also paid homage to the slain civil rights leader and his wife at their tomb, not far from the church.
"They're together at last," said Daphne Johnson, who was baptized by King at Ebenezer.
Coretta Scott King died last year on Jan. 31 at age 78. An activist in her own right, she also fought to shape and preserve her husband's legacy after his death, and founded what would become the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.
Crowds lined up early at the Atlanta History Center to see the first exhibition of King's collected papers since they were returned to his hometown. The papers brought back difficult memories for some.
"I remember a lot that I don't care to say," said Bertis Post, 70, of Atlanta, who marched with King in Alabama and Atlanta. "I always wanted to see the papers in person _ just to be here and be around what you believe."
The legacy of Coretta Scott King loomed large over the 21st observance of the King holiday at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King preached.
"It is in her memory and her honor that we must carry this program on," said her sister in law, Christine King Farris. "This is as she would have it."
Mayor Shirley Franklin urged the congregation not to pay tribute to King's message of peace and justice on his birthday and then contradict it the next.
"Millions can't find jobs, have no health insurance and struggle to make ends meet, working minimum-wage jobs. What's going on?" Franklin said, repeating a refrain from soul singer Marvin Gaye.
As King condemned the war in Vietnam 40 years ago, Ebenezer's senior pastor, the Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, denounced the war in Iraq.
"The real danger is not that America may lose the war," Warnock said. "The real danger is that America may well lose its soul."
Visitors also paid homage to the slain civil rights leader and his wife at their tomb, not far from the church.
"They're together at last," said Daphne Johnson, who was baptized by King at Ebenezer.
Coretta Scott King died last year on Jan. 31 at age 78. An activist in her own right, she also fought to shape and preserve her husband's legacy after his death, and founded what would become the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.
Crowds lined up early at the Atlanta History Center to see the first exhibition of King's collected papers since they were returned to his hometown. The papers brought back difficult memories for some.
"I remember a lot that I don't care to say," said Bertis Post, 70, of Atlanta, who marched with King in Alabama and Atlanta. "I always wanted to see the papers in person _ just to be here and be around what you believe."
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