Kerry to push for opening the FBI files on MLK's death and creating a MLK archive

[karynnj]

U.S. Sen. John Kerry plans to introduce legislation next week that would pave the way for the release of thousands of FBI documents on the life and death of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Kerry said the bill, which failed in 2006, can pass this year in honor of King. "I want the world to know what he stood for," Kerry said. "And I want his personal history preserved and examined by releasing all of his records."

The bill calls for creating a Martin Luther King Records Collection at the National Archives that would include all government records related to King. The bill also would create a five-member independent review board that would identify and make public all documents from agencies including the FBI - just as a review board in 1992 made public documents related to the 1963 John F. Kennedy assassination.

"This is personal for someone who came of age in the civil rights movement and was inspired by Dr. King," Kerry said. "He challenged the conscience of my generation and still moves a new generation of volunteers and activists to speak out against prejudice and suffering, wherever they might take place."

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100115/NEWS/1150343/King+s+FBI+files+may+be+opened+to+public

[karynnj]

1. Posted here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x126822

[beachmom]

2. This is a great idea.

Incidentally, I recommend here in Atlanta the MLK national historic site. It is holy ground, and the cost of admission and parking is ... free. So if you come down this way, put it on your list of things to see.

[karynnj]

3. I agree with you on the historical site

My husband and I went to the house he grew up in when my husband was lucky enough to win 2 Olympics tickets when the company he then worked for, which was a sponsor, had an employee lottery for some of their ticket packages. The entire area and the history their of the African American community was fascinating.

[politicasista]

4. Sounds good, though hope

that those closest to MLK like Rep. John Lewis, Rev. Joseph Lowery, the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference--the youngest King is now president) and other AA leaders see this as something real (we all know it is :) ) instead of opportunism. There is just a lot cynicism, skepticism with all politicians right now; you know, that they are lying and corrupt.

OTOH, though it's a start, but do agree with Mr. Sykes that the Senator's idea should be expanded to include the release of other documents describing other racial slayings from the civil rights era. The Emmett Till case was a horrific, if not shameful part of our history.

Kudos to the Senator. Again, it's a start, but hope this legislation will be even better.