Dr. Omid Safi (from left), director of Islamic Studies at Duke University, Rev. Jesse Jackson and National Civil Rights Museum president Terri Lee Freeman lay a memorial wreath on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel April 4, 2019, at the annual observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Visitors observe a moment of silence in front of the National Civil Rights Museum on April 4, 2019, at the observance of the 51st anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in Downtown Memphis. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Members of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Inc., march during a ceremony April 4, 2019, at the National Civil Rights Museum to commemorate the anniversary of King’s assassination in 1968. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
A spectator is overcome with emotion as the LeMoyne-Owen College Concert Choir sings at the National Civil Rights Museum on April 4, 2019. The choir’s performance was part of the annual observance of King’s 1968 assassination. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks at the National Civil Rights Museum's April 4, 2019, observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination 51 years ago. (Ziggy Mack/Special to The Daily Memphian)
King’s words resonate with new rhythm, insight
Civil rights veterans recall MLK on 51st anniversary of assassination
During the annual observance, civil rights veteran and icon Rev. James Lawson also talked about his invitation for King to come to Memphis in behalf of sanitation workers and the "politics of assassination."