April 4 marks 55th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination

By WVUA 23 News Student Reporter Gracie Fusco

Across the country people honored the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on the 55th anniversary of his death. King died April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. The National Civil Rights Museum, located in the place of his untimely death, hosted special events all day as part of the remembrance. This year’s theme was “Remembering MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment.”

Many vividly remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard about King’s death.

“I was in a place called Kosciusko, Mississippi, watching TV,” said Tuscaloosa resident Lawrence Levy. “I was stunned because Dr. King stood for so much and he saw it coming.”

Tuscaloosa NAACP President Lisa Young said no matter what, King fearlessly stood up for what he believed.

“Even though he received numerous death threats and he knew his life was at risk, he still believed in a nonviolent protest, trying to get those sanitation workers their rights,” said Young.

Although King has been gone for 55 years, his message lives on. His name will forever be taught in schools and he will continue to be researched to by people of all ages.

“He walked the walk and talked the talk and all the kids now look up to him,” said Jamar Chandler Sr.

To this day, Martin Luther King Jr. is still regarded as one of the greatest leaders in American history.