When the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. set their mind to a thing, they get it done and it was in 1983 when five members, George Sealy, Alfred Bailey, John Harvey, Oscar Little, and Eddie Madison, developed the idea that would be the greatest undertaking in the fraternities’ history. It took 28 years, but finally last August a statue created by sculptor, Lei Yixin, in the likeness of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, DC., a location reserved for past presidents of the United States.
Thousands gathered at the National Mall last August for this historic event and to celebrate the greatest posthumous tribute to Dr. King’s life and legacy. Here are a few highlights from that glorious weekend:
Stevie Wonder performs at the MLK Dedication.
Stevie Wonder discusses his visit to the monument.
India Arie performs at the MLK Memorial.
Patti LaBelle performs at the MLK Dedication.
Bernice King speaks during the dedication.
Julian Bond at the MLK Dedication.
Eddie Levert performs at the dedication concert.
Cicely Tyson discusses the unveiling of the memorial.
Al Sharpton at the MLK Memorial.
Diahann Carroll Reflects on the life of Dr. King.
Andrew Young at the MLK Dedication.
President Obama’s speech at the MLK Memorial Dedication.
Thank you Dr. King for your tireless sacrifices! You remain in our hearts and minds every day, for we know we would not have come as far as we have without your efforts!
more on MLK LETTER’ RIVERSIDE’ LECTURES // PRE-Today, as a result of the asurbd Citizens United Supreme Court decision, corporations and billionaires can spend unlimited sums of money, without disclosure, in political campaigns. And that is exactly what they’re doing.Last month, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. Join Sen. Sanders and tell Congress that – Corporations do not have the same constitutional rights as human beings.- The people have the right to regulate corporations.- Corporations are prohibited from making campaign contributions.- Congress and states shall have the power to set reasonable limits on election spending.Shut Down Guante1namoToday, January 11, 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Guante1namo prison camp. Just as the School of the Americas (SOA/ WHINSEC) is not an aberration of U.S. foreign policy but a clear illustration of it, the prison camp is a stark reminder about the long history of torture by the U.S. military. In 1996, the Pentagon was forced to admit that it had used training manuals at the SOA instructing Latin American military officers and soldiers in the use of torture, blackmail, and executions as recently as 1991.SOA Watch activists are taking to the streets today together with our friends ofWitness against Torture in Washington, DC and at the gates of the U.S. Southern Command in Florida. We are joining theLatin America Solidarity Coalition in calling for shutting down not just the Guante1namo prison camp, but we also demand the shutting down of the entire illegal Guante1namo U.S. military base, and its return to Cuba. Just as the torture techniques at the Guante1namo prison camp that were authorized by members of the Bush administration, the SOA torture manuals were also authorized by the highest levels in the Pentagon. Not one person has ever been charged for creating, using or authorizing the SOA torture manuals. Impunity leaves the door open for future acts of abuse.End Torture and Shut Down the Racist System of Violence and Domination. Hold the Perpetrators Accountable.