Honoring the legacy of the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative
You may remember last week, we traveled to Kennedy King Memorial Park to meet witnesses of Robert Kennedy’s famous speech in Indianapolis back in 1968. Here’s more with the Executive Director of the initiative, Darryl Lockett, with more on how they’re honoring this historic location.
Kennedy King Memorial Initiative 53rd April 4 Day of Reflection
In lieu of the traditional ceremony, visitors and community members are invited to visit Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park for reflection marking Sen. Robert F. Kennedy’s historic speech delivered in Indianapolis the night Dr. King was killed.
The Kennedy King Memorial Initiative (KKMI), in partnership with Visit Indy, Indiana Sports Corp and Indy Parks, has reimagined in consideration of the pandemic the 53rd commemoration of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy’s famous speech in Indianapolis on April 4, 1968, the night Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. A wreath will be laid to honor the lives of Dr. King and those lost due to COVID-19 the morning of Sunday, April 4, 2021 at the Landmark for Peace Memorial sculpture located in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park at 17th and Broadway St. in Indianapolis. The organization encourages visitors and the community to follow social distancing and face covering guidelines and visit the site throughout the day as a way to reflect and channel the spirit of equality and compassion so central to both men’s legacies and still so relevant today.
Sen. Kennedy is inextricably linked in the story of Indianapolis for the extraordinary courage and strength he displayed in the wake of the assassination of Dr. King on the evening of April4,1968. Each year, the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative commemorates Dr. King and recall Kennedy’s historic speech. Despite being urged to cancel his appearance, Kennedy delivered an
impromptu speech from the back of a flatbed truck to a crowd who had not yet heard the news about Dr. King. His moving message of peace and forgiveness was offered in the midst of
violence across the country. His words left a deep impression on all who heard it and while America burned and rioted that night, Indianapolis was peaceful.
The Landmark for Peace Memorial sculpture, located within Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park at 1702 N. Broadway St., in Indianapolis, is open daily from dawn to dusk. To help decrease the spread of COVID-19, Indy Parks is reminding the community to follow social distancing and face covering guidelines. Park users should also avoid visiting parks and park spaces if they are sick or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Free street parking is offered along Broadway St. or visitors can utilize IndyGo’s trip planner to map their route. In addition, biking is encouraged and the Indiana Pacers Bikeshare, a program of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, Inc., offers easy access to the park. For further information on the Kennedy King Memorial Initiative, visit www.kennedykingindy.org. The public is also encouraged to follow the conversation on social media through the hashtag #StillWeReach @KennedyKing1968 or www.facebook.com/KennedyKingMemorialInitiative/.
Trailblazer Award
Youth
Taylor Hall
Dejuna Rodriguez
Public Official
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush
State Rep. Robin Shackleford
Civic Engagement
Syed Ali Saeed, Saeed & Little LLP
Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers
Kit Malone, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Yecenia Tostado, Project Azul
Community Builder Award
Corporate Leadership
Anthem & Anthem Foundation
Cook Medical
Nonprofit Leadership
Indianapolis Urban League
VOICES Corp.
Philanthropic Leadership
Central Indiana Community Foundation (Brian Payne)
Glick Family Foundation (Marianne Glick)
Faith Leadership
Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis
Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance
Spirit & Truth Award
Jackie Nytes, Indianapolis Public Library
Bill Shrewsberry, Shrewsberry & Associates
Website: kennedykingindy.org
SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY KENNEDY KING MEMORIAL