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About 1.5 million people have visited the statue since August. Jacquelyn Martin/AP/Press Association Images

Memorial to Martin Luther King unveiled in Washington DC

US President Barack Obama addressed the crowd during the ceremonial event, held to dedicate the memorial properly.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE have gathered today to officially open the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington DC.

US President Barack Obama addressed the crowd on the Mall, stating that Dr. King’s “glorious words” in his famous 1963 “I have a dream speech” sparked a period when barricades began to fall and bigotry started to fade.

“Yes, laws changed. But hearts and minds changed as well,” he said. “America is now more free, more fair and more just.”

He said the preacher – even though he did not have a formal title – “stirred our conscience” and made “our Union more perfect”.

The King monument is the only statue on the Mall not dedicated to a US president or to war. It is also the first to honour a black leader.

The crowd was full of well-known faces, including singers Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, as well as other members of the King family.

King’s older sister, Christine King Farris, said she witnessed a baby become “a great hero to humanity” on that day in 1963 win Washington. She said the memorial will ensure her brother’s legacy will provide a source of inspiration worldwide for generations.

King’s son and daughter, Martin Luther III and Bernice King said their father’s dream is not yet realised. Martin Luther King III said the nation has “lost its soul” when it tolerates vast economic disparities, teen bullying, and having more people of colour in prison than in college.

Following Obama’s speech, Stevie Wonder performed Happy Birthday. Earlier this week he had asked to ‘see’ the statue. He was raised up on a scissor lift and felt the face of the American hero, reports 9News.

-Additional reporting by AP

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    Mute Sean Money
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    Jun 20th 2024, 3:17 PM

    They were all at it, complete chaos. For a few hundred quid sold out their party. Very bad leaders.

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    Jun 20th 2024, 3:30 PM

    Even Rishi, the leader of the conservatives, is on course to lose his seat. With cons polling at 15%, that’s as low as 50 seats. Complete wipeout. Red Socialist Wave.

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    Mute Hayagriva
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    Jun 20th 2024, 3:37 PM

    @D. Peadar:
    Starmer has seen to it that if there is to be a wave, it certainly won’t be a socialist one. Business as usual

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    Mute bruce banner
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    Jun 20th 2024, 3:53 PM

    Just cant help themselves when an opportunity to cheat arises.

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    Mute did you every wonder
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    Jun 20th 2024, 3:49 PM

    I bet they get a small fine.

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    Mute Daniel Skelton
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    Jun 20th 2024, 3:57 PM

    Typical Tory wrong’uns. Every single one of them.

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    Jun 20th 2024, 4:38 PM

    What were the odds of that

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    Jun 20th 2024, 5:59 PM

    The Tory Party: The scandal that keeps on giving.

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    Jun 20th 2024, 4:48 PM

    I hope the bookies don’t lose roo much money over this massive coup

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    Jun 21st 2024, 2:41 AM

    Is anyone surprised? Yet some will still vote Tory.

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    Jun 20th 2024, 10:24 PM

    Leo’s other team.lol.

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    Jun 21st 2024, 1:04 AM

    It has always amazed me how working people vote fo4 the entitled tory chancers but I suppose if your dna is breath for service it’s not that difficult to understand

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    Mute Mike Fortune
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    Jun 20th 2024, 11:02 PM

    Corruption at its best crooks the lot of them and I hope they all end up behind bars Jail bars I wonder how much Rishi Sunak or his wife stand to make out of it

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