Park Service to remove inscription on MLK Memorial

By Brett Zongker

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Feb. 10 2012 2:05 p.m. MST

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2012 file photo, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial stands in Washington. The National Park Service plans to remove an inscription from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington and replace it with a full quotation from the civil rights leader.

Jacquelyn Martin, File, Associated Press

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Summary

The National Park Service plans to remove an inscription from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington and replace it with a full quotation from the civil rights leader.

WASHINGTON — The National Park Service plans to remove an inscription from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington and replace it with a full quotation from the civil rights leader.

Critics had said the paraphrase didn't accurately reflect King's words.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the plan Friday. The memorial's architect had hoped to simply add words, without removal, to place the phrase in context.

The inscription reads: "I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness."

The full quotation is different: "Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter."

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