DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT?
( Memphis, Tenn.) — To recognize Memphis’ historic role in the movement
for economic and social justice and to honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s leadership
on this issue during the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike, a new partnership between
labor, civil and human rights groups created a human aerial art image — the
first of its kind in Memphis — depicting Dr. King’s likeness along with the
words "Keep the Dream Alive" on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 2, at Tom Lee
Park on the Mississippi riverfront.
Participants formed a human aerial image of Dr. King and the words, "Keep
the Dream Alive". Circle Up Now’s Co-Founder, John Quigley collaborated
with local artist Siphne Sylve of
Memphis College of Art, who originated the sketch of Dr. King.
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 click image to enlarge |
On July 15, 2008, Circle Up Now
gathered thousands of students in Johannesburg, South Africa,
to create an image of Nelson Mandela to honor his 90th birthday
with the message of "Freedom
from Hunger" (pictured on left).
“Now, it’s time for America to honor
our human rights hero, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in this
way,” said Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International
USA.
“At a time when millions of people around the world are staggering
under the recent economic blows, it is appropriate for us to renew
our commitment to the vision that Dr. King showed 40 years ago when
he came to support economic justice and the striking sanitation workers
in Memphis. Dr. King’s message rings louder today than ever. He could
not fulfill the promise of economic justice but we can. We are proud
to stand with labor and other organizations who seek to work to accomplish
Dr. King’s vision.” |
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“Dr. King’s message rings louder today than ever,” Cox added. “He
could not fulfill the promise of economic justice, but we can. Amnesty
International is proud to stand with labor and other human and civil
rights organizations who seek to work to accomplish Dr. King’s vision.”
“Dr. King was committed to a fair and just society. His vision gives
us the strength to recommit ourselves to a new period of economic
justice,” said Bruce Jett, director of AFSME local 1733.
This gathering was part of three days of activities in Memphis for
Amnesty International’s Southern Regional Conference, bringing hundreds
of student and community human rights activists together from throughout
the South.
This year, as the human rights movement marks the 60th anniversary
of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Amnesty
International is renewing its commitment to the economic, social
and health rights that Dr. King championed in his later years. Among
the issues addressed at the regional conference in Memphis were housing
rights for individuals displaced by hurricane Katrina as well as
the living wage campaign that was fought in Memphis. |
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At
the event, a brief ceremony honored local civil and
economic rights champions in the spirit of Tom Lee, an
African American known as Memphis’ greatest hero, for his
courage in rescuing 32 people from the Mississippi river
in 1925 when the steamer they were on sank. Members of
Lee’s family and the U.S. Coast Guard have been invited
to participate.
Speakers included Bruce Jett, director of AFSCME local 1733; Larry Cox, executive
director of Amnesty International USA, and Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn. Local choirs,
dance groups and drummers performed and passages from Dr. King’s speeches
were read by young people. |
Tom
Lee Memorial Sculpture
in Tom Lee Park, Memphis, TN |
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