By CHANDLER BROWN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
An Atlanta civil rights icon will play a very visible role in the historic and star-studded inauguration of Barack Obama, the nation’s first black president.
A congressional committee announced late Wednesday that the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, a stalwart of the civil rights movement and co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, will deliver the benediction.

As he marched for civil rights equality alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s, Lowery said, he prayed the country would one day elect a black president, “but I never thought I’d live to see it.” Lowery said he hopes Obama can unite a country divided over war and embroiled in a recession.
“He’s been touched by the hand of God to lead this nation and, indeed, lead the world through leading this nation to an era of peace and abundant life,” Lowery said. To be a part of it, “I’m honored and overjoyed,
looking forward to it with great anticipation.”
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2008/12/17/lowery_obama.html
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Rev Lowey really believe in civil rights for all and has spoken against the Federal Marriage Amendment and has called for full married rights and benefits for gay people.
"When you talk about the law discriminating, the law granting a privilege here, and a right here and denying it there, that's a civil rights issue. And I can't take that away from anybody." Joseph E. Lowery (ABC News, 03/13/04)
Linda Douglass, a spokeswoman for Mr. Obama’s presidential inaugural committee, said the upcoming ceremony would be the "most open and accessible" inauguration in history and defended the inclusion of Mr. Warren.
"Clearly, the president-elect disagrees with him on issues involving the LGBT community," she said. But Mr. Obama has consistently stressed the need to "seek common ground with people with whom we disagree fundamentally."
Ms. Douglass noted that the benediction, or closing prayers, would be offered by the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, a civil rights icon who has expressed support for gay marriage, and that the Lesbian and Gay Band Association would march in the inaugural parade, the first time such a group would do so.