National, state and local politicians gathered this morning (Tuesday), to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a speech Robert F. Kennedy gave hours after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Hundreds attended to hear speakers including Congressman and prominent civil rights activist John Lewis – who spoke at the March on Washington and worked closely with King.
“He taught us how to live. He taught us how to stand up. To be brave, courageous and bold, and to never give up.”
On April 4th, 1968 Kennedy delivered a hand-written speech in the Indianapolis park now named after King. He told the crowd what happened, and made a call for peace and unity. Many say the speech helped prevent riots in the city.
Kennedy’s daughter Kerry Kennedy also spoke at the commemoration. She says lessons she learned from her father mirrored the values he wanted the country to embrace.
“We must build a system of justice that enjoys the confidence of all sides, that peace is not just something to pray for, but something each of us has the responsibility to create.”
Yesterday President Donald Trump signed a bill that gives the park’s Landmark for Peace Memorial – which depicts King and Kennedy reaching towards one another – status as a National Historic Site.