April 4, 2017

Ceremony Marks Historic Speech

Visit Indy

Visit Indy

The Kennedy King Memorial Initiative will hold its annual program Tuesday, April 4, in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.  The event will commemorate the historic speech delivered by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in Indianapolis, April 4, 1968 -- the night Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed. 

The park is home to the Landmark for Peace memorial sculpture, which honors the contributions of both slain leaders.

The park is a wonderful urban area with historical significance that many residents don’t even know about, says Kennedy King Memorial Initiative Executive Director Amy DiStaulo.

"We are working to create the park as more of an amenity to create awareness of this unique historical event that happened 49 years ago, and build toward a more commemorative event next year on the 50th anniversary that will be even more memorable,” DiStaulo says.

Plans include transforming the campus of King Park into a visitor’s destination as well as providing programs affecting today’s urban communities.

“There is an existing building on the grounds that’s owned by the parks department," DiStaulo says "and so we are working through a partnership with the Indiana Historical Society to transform the outside of that building into a graphic design that will tell the story of April 4th.”

This year’s program will include prayer, song, and a presentation of a video recording of Sen. Kennedy’s speech and Dr. King’s “Mountain Top” speech.

The program begins at 5 p.m. and will take place rain or shine. If it does rain, the event will be at CFI School 27, 545 E. 19th St.

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