ATLANTA — Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young says he believes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s presence is still with him.
"There's nothing that I've done and there's nothing that's happened in my life that I can't attribute to the movement of his spirit in our midst."
Young was one of several leaders on the balcony at the Lorraine Motel when King was shot. He says they were not afraid to die because the cause they were fighting for was just. Young says King's death brought him some peace.
Young can be seen in a photo in the middle of the screen looking into the distance away from King's slumped body at his feet. He says even though the Civil Rights leader was murdered 50 years ago, he says King's presence has been with him throughout his life.
"It's as though his spirit has never left."
"There's nothing that I've done and there's nothing that's happened in my life that i can't attribute to the movement of his spirit in our midst."
But Young says King, the eloquent and charismatic leader who disrupted the status quo, shook the white columns of separate but equal. Young says King always anticipated his death. They all did.
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It has been 50 years since King was assassinated.
To mark this important anniversary, Channel 2 Action News, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB Radio have teamed up to produce special coverage.
It began with the airing of WSB-TV documentary, "The Last Days of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Channel 2 Action News and WSB Radio covered the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 50 years ago, and now bring you the most comprehensive coverage on the anniversary.
In-depth stories, interviews with witnesses to history, the most extensive archive of photos, audio and video and extensive team coverage of Dr. King's far reaching impact.
It will culminate on April 9, the date five decades ago that the world paused to observe the funeral and burial of King in Atlanta.
Channel 2 Action News, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and WSB Radio will reach back into their collective archives to put contemporary audiences in touch with a volatile time in our nation's history.
The AJC is publishing a special section of historic front pages, photos and commentary.
WSB Radio is sharing commentary from legendary voices, speaking to the struggle of time.
Today, Channel 2 Action News will bring viewers live reports from Memphis, Washington, D.C., and here in Atlanta, where thousands are expected to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King.
The extensive archives of Channel 2 Action News, the AJC and WSB Radio includes rare video, photos and reports on Dr. King and the civil rights movement, which will take viewers back to that day.
At 7:01 p.m., the moment King was shot, church bells across the city will ring 39 times for his 39 years of life.
At 8:04 p.m., Channel 2 Action News will hold a moment of silence on-air and across our digital platforms.
Some of the people closest with King will tell their stories and most special memories including his daughter, Bernice King, and former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young. They will also talk about how King’s legacy is still having major impact.