MLK'S WIFE, DAUGHTER AT ODDS ON GAY RIGHTS: From the Washington Blade

...The Dec. 11 "Re-ignite the Legacy" march--coordinated by Bishop Eddie Long, leader of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia--drew between 20,000 and 25,000 people, according to Atlanta Police Department estimates.

The trek from Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s gravesite to Turner Field was in response to Long's call for black churches to become more vocal political players on issues like banning same-sex marriage, reforming the education and health care systems, and creating economic opportunities for minorities. ...

Several prominent black clergy, civil rights leaders and politicians harshly rebuked the New Birth march, saying Martin Luther King Jr. would not have supported Long's message.

The critics included U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.); Rev. Joseph Lowery, former SCLC president; and Rev. Timothy McDonald III, head of the African-American Ministers' Leadership Conference. ...

King's widow has been a staunch public supporter of gay civil rights.

The King Center did not respond to repeated interview requests about whether it supported the march. But the center, along with the city, granted march organizers a permit, according to Locke from APD.

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posted by Eve at 3:11 PM VOTE

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