Lucius Walker facts for kids
The Reverend Lucius Walker (born August 3, 1930 – died September 7, 2010) was an American Baptist minister. He was known for leading the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization in the 1960s. He strongly believed the United States embargo against Cuba should end. He made many trips to Cuba with supplies, even though it was against the embargo rules.
About Lucius Walker
Early Life and Education
Lucius Walker was born on August 3, 1930, in Roselle, New Jersey. Even as a teenager, people noticed his talent for preaching. He went to Shaw University for his first degree. Later, he earned a special degree called a Doctor of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. He said this was because he loved the teachings of Jesus. He became an ordained minister in 1958. He also earned a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin, where he studied social work.
Working for Change
In the 1960s, Lucius Walker became the executive director of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization. He worked hard to get different religious groups to work together. His goal was to help improve neighborhoods that were struggling. In 1969, he said that churches talked a lot about fairness but did not do enough. He was very passionate about helping communities directly.
In 1973, he became an associate general secretary for the National Council of Churches. He returned to the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization in 1978.
Standing Up for Others
In August 1988, Lucius Walker was on a boat trip in Nicaragua. The boat was attacked by a group called the Contras. Two people died, and Walker was hurt. He felt that this event showed him the harsh reality of government actions. This experience made him create an organization called Pastors for Peace. This group aimed to fight against what he saw as unfair actions by powerful nations. Pastors for Peace sent tons of important supplies to countries in Latin America.
As part of Pastors for Peace, Lucius Walker made 21 yearly trips to Cuba. He called these trips "friendshipments." He traveled through Canada and Mexico to deliver aid. On his last trip in July 2010, he brought medical equipment. This included EKG machines, incubators, and medicines. He refused to get special licenses for these shipments. He believed the rules were unfair. After he passed away, the official Cuban newspaper, Granma, wrote that Cubans were thankful for him. They said they could not imagine a world without Lucius Walker.
Lucius Walker lived in Demarest, New Jersey. He died at his home there on September 7, 2010, at the age of 80. He passed away from a heart attack. He had three daughters, two sons, and three grandchildren. His wife, Mary Johnson, had passed away in 2008.
