The plaque was installed earlier today with a ceremony held in celebration.
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The civil rights leader has been honoured with an English Heritage plaque on London’s Bloomsbury Baptist church, where he delivered a speech in 1961.
It was the result of a collaboration between Camden council and the Nubian Jak Community Trust, a group which campaigns for the recognition and commemoration of black and ethnic monitory individuals across the globe.
Speaking to City News TV reporter Lucas Zanarotti, the founder of the trust, Jak Beula, emphasised the importance of honouring Dr King in this way; “He was an iconic figure of the 20th Century”.
Jak Beula went on to say, “We today have memorialised his space and presence in the capital, in this very church, where he delivered an iconic speech on the 31st October 1961.”
“What we have done is canonise that speech on this grade II listed building which is iconic itself”.
This is the first plaque to be installed on a church, and the 96th plaque to be erected after campaigning by the group, which Mr Beula says makes him feel “particularly proud”.
Blue plaque for Martin Luther King being erected near Tottenham Court Road yesterday, a ceremony was also held in celebration.
Mr Beula told City News that the plaque creates a space which acknowledges the historical contributions of black or minority ethnic individuals. It is also an opportunity for those passing by to learn about and admire their work.
He added, “It’s important to memorialise the spaces where their presence can be historized, as I say, so schools, tourists and local Londoners can come and celebrate celebrate and those who don’t know can look up his contribution to humanity”
“We have lots of plans for more plaques, particularly in London.” finished Mr Beula.
Jonathan Iger, a historian and biographer of Martin Luther, told City News why he thinks the civil rights pioneer spent time in London. “His movement seemed to be losing ground [in America] and I think he was trying to figure out what to do next, how to repeat some of the successes he had earlier in his career”
Mr Iger added that, “King was here to get inspiration and to give inspiration”.
The blue plaque scheme began in 1866 and is now run by English Heritage, who estimate that around 1,000 blue circles adorn buildings across London.
To see the momentous blue plate with your own eyes, head to number 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, just a 5 minute walk from Tottenham Court Station.
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HeadlineFirst English Heritage plaque celebrating Martin Luther King unveiled in central London
Short HeadlineNew plaque celebrating Martin Luther King unveiled in central London
StandfirstCamden Council and the Nubian Jak Community Trust worked together to immortalise the civil rights pioneer.
The civil rights leader has been honoured with an English Heritage plaque on London’s Bloomsbury Baptist church, where he delivered a speech in 1961.
It was the result of a collaboration between Camden council and the Nubian Jak Community Trust, a group which campaigns for the recognition and commemoration of black and ethnic monitory individuals across the globe.
Speaking to City News TV reporter Lucas Zanarotti, the founder of the trust, Jak Beula, emphasised the importance of honouring Dr King in this way; “He was an iconic figure of the 20th Century”.
Jak Beula went on to say, “We today have memorialised his space and presence in the capital, in this very church, where he delivered an iconic speech on the 31st October 1961.”
“What we have done is canonise that speech on this grade II listed building which is iconic itself”.
This is the first plaque to be installed on a church, and the 96th plaque to be erected after campaigning by the group, which Mr Beula says makes him feel “particularly proud”.
Blue plaque for Martin Luther King being erected near Tottenham Court Road yesterday, a ceremony was also held in celebration.
Mr Beula told City News that the plaque creates a space which acknowledges the historical contributions of black or minority ethnic individuals. It is also an opportunity for those passing by to learn about and admire their work.
He added, “It’s important to memorialise the spaces where their presence can be historized, as I say, so schools, tourists and local Londoners can come and celebrate celebrate and those who don’t know can look up his contribution to humanity”
“We have lots of plans for more plaques, particularly in London.” finished Mr Beula.
Jonathan Iger, a historian and biographer of Martin Luther, told City News why he thinks the civil rights pioneer spent time in London. “His movement seemed to be losing ground [in America] and I think he was trying to figure out what to do next, how to repeat some of the successes he had earlier in his career”
Mr Iger added that, “King was here to get inspiration and to give inspiration”.
The blue plaque scheme began in 1866 and is now run by English Heritage, who estimate that around 1,000 blue circles adorn buildings across London.
To see the momentous blue plate with your own eyes, head to number 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, just a 5 minute walk from Tottenham Court Station.
