Bridge Walk for Hope

April 4, 2008, marks the 40th Anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As one who has connected to so many others and crossed many bridges in bringing people of all walks of life together, we are honoring his legacy by holding the Bridge Walk for Peace.

On April 4, 2008, we will be gathering at Franklin Square Park (6th & Arch) in the shadow of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia forming a human chain that links one to another to be in place at exactly 7:01 PM (the time that Dr. King was assassinated 40 years ago in Memphis, TN) honoring the ongoing need to connect to each other as we work toward peace throughout the world.

We’re seeking enough individuals, families and organizations to be in place at 7:01 PM, stretch their arms linking to one another to surround the perimeter and join in 40 seconds (one second for each year of the anniversary) honoring the work we have yet to do in achieving the Beloved Community about which King spoke of, worked and died for.

The first-ever Bridge Walk for Peace was such a memorable milestone for everyone who participated and had a hand in making it happen.

After some inspiring messages from individuals and organizations who continue to work for the peace and just society that characterized the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, a crowd of more than 400 people marched in unison to form a multi-ethnic, multi-age and multi-layered circle in Franklin Square Park in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia.

We all connected arm-in-arm to stand silently for 40 seconds at 7:01 PM on April 4, 2008 commemorating the milestone of 40 years since the passing of Dr. King while re-committing ourselves fulfilling the Dream of living in the Beloved Community where all of us have enough and none of us have too little.

What's next?

We are already planning the 2009 commemoration. But beyond a Bridge Walk -- which we hope to establish as an annual tradition -- we as the Beloved Community Coalition are seeking to connect organizations and individuals working to achieve peace and justice throughout the year.

Even in your personal walk, honor the legacy of Dr. King by doing at least 40 things this year to make a difference in the community and world we share.