Protesting Warren at King Day
By
ATLANTA--Some 120 people gathered near Ebenezer Baptist Church on Martin Luther King Day to protest the King Center's choice of Rick Warren as keynote speaker at its annual commemorative service for King.
The irony of choosing a keynote speaker who has campaigned against civil rights for gays on a day that celebrates the dream of civil rights for all was front and center on the minds of protesters. Community activist Kinte' Allah said he was demonstrating because Warren "is a bigot, someone who doesn't believe in civil rights."
That Warren was chosen to speak anywhere on King Day is an affront to civil rights, but to have him speak in King's hometown and church is especially insulting.
Perhaps most insulting of all is the message this sends to the gay community. Considering Warren's role in the passage of Proposition 8 to ban same-sex marriage in California, having him as keynote speaker says that his brand of homophobia is compatible with Dr. King's legacy.
HIV prevention activist Tony Smith saw it differently. "I am a gay American, and it is so important to stand at this moment for equality for the gay and lesbian community," he said. "There is a feeling in the nation that we have to stand. We are honoring Dr. King by standing up."
Later in the day, several thousand people lined the sidewalks of Peachtree Street to witness various Atlanta groups participate in the King Day march. Among the marchers was a contingent for the local gay rights group GLBT ATL, Atlanta-Palestine Solidarity and Iraq Veterans Against the War. The crowd's response was enthusiastic throughout, with chants of "End the War" ringing out from block to block as anti-war groups progressed.
As gay rights marchers hit one block, a young onlooker in a rainbow scarf started yelling "Yes we can," words which quickly grew into a strong chant among the onlookers and marchers.
Overall, the day was a success and a true tribute to what King believed--from the activist opposition to hatred early on, to the feeling of hope and inspiration that remained after, it was clear that the dream is still alive, and that people intend to make it come true.
