Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Park
The following is courtesy of Karleine Graham, St. Martha's Newsletter:
On January 15, 2007, the drizzly overcast day did not deter the crowd of elected officials including Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, representatives of Community Based Organizations, clergymen and ordinary citizens who gathered to enthusiastically mark the opening of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Park at the corner of Uniondale Avenue and Nassau Road.
Mr. Kevan Abrahams, the County Legislator for Uniondale, presided at the ceremonies. He thanked the community for bringing the idea of the Peace Park to him and the cooperation he received from several departments of the County Government that bought the plot of land, helped in the design and finally completed the project. The site is beautifully landscaped and includes a prominent clock and a bust of Dr. King sculpted by David Byer-Tyre, curator at the Nassau County African American Museum. Byer-Tyre said that he is “not a dreamer but a believer” in Dr. King’s vision for America.
Legislator Abrahams stressed the qualities that he admired in Dr. King namely: hard work, fight for equality, peacefulness, leadership for all and his insistence on good character. The legislator believed that these traits are worth emulating. Legislator David Danenberg reminded the audience that great leadership does not have to follow poll numbers, the majority or even the loudest. The black power movement questioned and challenged Dr. King’s non-violent philosophy as weak and unworkable in America. Again, as one of the earliest opponents of the war in Vietnam, Dr. King risked being called unpatriotic, interfered where he had no expertise instead of concerning himself with lunch counter issues. Dr. King listened, examined his views and forged ahead, because these stances were consistent with his non-violent philosophy.
Msgr. Caldwell stressed that, as we emulate Dr. King in our work for a better and fairer society for all people, it is also important that we do not lose hope. The Uniondale High School Jr. ROTC color guard presented the colors. The flag was flown at half-mast in honor of the late President Gerald Ford. The Uniondale High School Jazz Band provided entertainment throughout.
Finally, the bust of Dr. King was unveiled by County Executive Suozzi and Legislator Abrahams. Directly in front of the bust was a quote from Dr. King: “We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means.” Dr. King died at 39 years of age. In January, 2007, he would have been 78 years old. There are other quotes from Dr. King, such as “Injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere,” engraved in stone at the Peace Park. I encourage everyone to visit the Peace Park and reflect on the different quotes from Dr. King. From the grave he continues to teach and challenge us to take the road to peace and justice.
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