MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
On the 56th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's assassination, his family made a rare trip to Memphis to participate in the annual commemoration in person.
Dr. King was in Memphis supporting sanitation workers on strike when he was killed at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968. Arndrea Waters King, wife of Martin Luther King III, said she often thinks about how her life could have been different if Dr. King’s life wasn’t taken.
"My husband's father was not there when we got married. He was not there for the birth of our daughter. I think about the fact that now our daughter's getting ready to drive that he's not here,” said Waters King.
Every year, the National Civil Rights Museum honors his life and legacy with a commemoration including music and wreath laying. This year spoken word was also added to the event.
People from all over the world honored the life and legacy of Dr. King, including Alexis Singleton, a California native who now lives in Memphis.
"I like to always show reverence to our ancestors and to the past. I left my little flowers over there just in remembrance of a great leader and someone who changed the world,” said Singleton.
Chris Fendt and his family came all the way from the United Kingdom. It’s a trip they said was a year in the making.
"I never ever thought I’d end up standing there and see this line of sight. Yeah, it's very emotional,” said Fendt.
Although it's an annual event, the King family isn't always able to make it person. But this year, King III said it was important for he and his family to take the trip to Memphis.
With growing concerns about potential violent political rhetoric this election year, King III stressed the importance of using non-violent tactics to make change.
"Some human beings are trying to move us backwards. That path backwards is not going to be sustainable. We are a better nation than the behavior and the conduct that we're engaged in. But we're not exhibiting our best selves,” said King III.
King III and Waters King also announced a series of grants from their Drum Major Institute to raise awareness about racial issues and poverty.