The City of Miami unveiled a new sign Tuesday on the southwest corner of 62nd Street and Northwest Sixth Avenue to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated 50 years ago tomorrow.
The sign, located by the I-95 ramp on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, depicts King and features two phrases: “Injustice Anywhere Is a Threat to Justice Everywhere” and “The Dream Lives.”
Miami Chairman and District 5 Commissioner Keon Hardemon, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Public Works Director Juvenal Santana, whose department was charged with developing the sign, spoke at the unveiling.
Hardemon said beautifying the city’s public spaces is essential to the pride of its residents. Every street named after King, he said, must be well-kept in honor of the civil rights leader.
“In far too many cities, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is a reflection of that legacy of excellence,” said Hardemon during his speech. “The beautification is lacking in so many different places, and we could no longer have that exist in the city of Miami.”
Mayor Suarez said he was honored the city was commemorating King and spoke of his impact.
“When I think about legacy, you think about the gifts that Dr. King left us with,” he said during his speech. “Everywhere you go around this neighborhood, there are reminders of who he is, of what he said.”
Two murals extend beneath the I-95 underpass on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. One, located in front of the new sign, was created by artists Colleen Kelley and Nicholas Nehaniv and features King delivering a speech in front of an American flag. The mural on the opposite end, featuring a pensive King with a purple backdrop and colorful shapes surrounding him, was created by the MLK Mural Project (Moving the Lives of Kids).
Liberty City Trust President Elaine Black, whose organization was entrusted with finding artists for the murals, said the murals and the sign are a beautiful addition to the community and commemorate the memory of King.
Tomorrow, April 4, the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation will host Reclaim the Dream, a march against gun violence, candlelight memorial service and gospel concert featuring singers Kirk Franklin and Shirley Caesar. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. at Athalie Range Park, 525 Northwest 62nd Street.
For more information or to register for free, click HERE.
