Thousands to celebrate King's 'I Have a Dream' speech

ATLANTA, Ga. — Thousands are expected at Atlanta's King Center Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's historic "I Have A Dream" speech.

Channel 2's Ashley Swann spoke with King's daughter and King Center CEO, Bernice King, about the official kickoff of eight days of activities in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the historic milestone.

"It means a great deal to know that my father's life, and death even, was not in vain," King told Swann. She was only 5 months old when her father gave his iconic speech at the March on Washington, but King grew up knowing what a pivotal moment it was for so many, including her own mother.

"She said it was as if heaven had come to earth in that moment, like the kingdom of God had descended on the Lincoln Memorial right there in our midst," said King.

Aug. 28 marks 50 years since that historic day, and before the official commemoration in Washington, King hopes all who can will join her Saturday where her father's dream began to honor his legacy.

"It has to start here (in Atlanta) because that gives people a keen insight into how he really developed and became the person he was when he led that movement," King said.

The Atlanta Global Freedom Expo will include storytelling from ground crew who attended the march, period entertainment and dance, food demonstrations, a town hall meeting and open house at Dr. King's birthplace. The event is free and open to all ages.

"It's important that people do bring their children," King told Swann. "Because their children are the ones that are going to be responsible for continuing the momentum of the movement."

The Aug. 28 anniversary will culminate with a global bell ringing King says she hopes will commemorate and inspire.

"It's a wake-up call. It's a remembrance," said King. "It's a hey -- we're citizens of the world and we have a responsibility to really transform our society for the good of all."

The event will take place, rain or shine, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

WSBTV