Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (Jersey City) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial |
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| Year | 2000 |
| Type | Bronze, Granite |
| Location | Jersey City, New Jersey |
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is a special statue in Jersey City, New Jersey. It honors Martin Luther King Jr., a famous leader. You can find it at the Martin Luther King Drive station for the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail. This memorial is in the Jackson Hill area of the city.
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About the Memorial
This memorial was created by a sculptor named Jonathan Shahn (1938-2020). His father was also a well-known artist, Ben Shahn. The memorial was ordered by NJ Transit, which runs public transportation. It was first shown in the year 2000 when the train station opened.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The main part of the memorial is a bronze bust. A bust is a sculpture that shows only the head and shoulders of a person. This bust is about 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall. It sits on top of a granite stand that is about 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall.
Next to the bust are bronze bas-reliefs. A bas-relief is a type of sculpture where the figures stick out slightly from a flat background. These bas-reliefs are in 2-foot (0.6-meter) sections. They are titled The Struggle for Civil Rights in the Martin Luther King Era. They show important scenes and people from the civil rights movement.
Important Words from Dr. King
On the back of the memorial, there is a special message. It is a quote from one of Dr. King's famous writings, the Letter from Birmingham Jail. The quote says: "We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." This means that people who are treated unfairly often have to fight for their rights.
Dr. King's Visits to Jersey City
Dr. King visited Jersey City at least two times. These visits were very important to the city's history.
First Visit in 1965
On September 21, 1965, Dr. King received an honorary Doctor of Law degree. This was from St. Peter's College in Jersey City. During his visit, Dr. King gave a speech called "The American Dream." He talked about his hopes for a fair and equal country.
Last Visit in 1968
Dr. King came back to Jersey City on Wednesday, March 27, 1968. This was just a week before he passed away. Nearly 2,000 people came to hear him speak at the Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church. In his speech, he asked for support for two important efforts. These were the Poor People's Campaign and the Memphis sanitation strike. Both were about helping people who were struggling.
Remembering His Visits
The Afro-American Historical and Cultural Society Museum in Jersey City keeps records of Dr. King's visits. They help to remember his important work and speeches in the city.
