INDIANAPOLIS — The Kennedy King Memorial Initiative (KKMI) will host Still We Reach: Building the Legacy, a powerful day of remembrance, reflection, and community gathering on Saturday, April 4 from noon to 6:00 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, located at 601 E. 17th St. in Indianapolis.
This year’s event marks the 58th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony honoring the legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and celebrates the park renovations and grand reopening of this historic landmark, featuring new outdoor exhibits and enhancements designed to deepen public engagement with the site’s history. The City of Indianapolis’ Parks Department invested nearly $6 million over a year ago to make these enhancements a reality.
From 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., attendees can explore the new outdoor exhibits, the Visitors Center exhibits, join guided tours, participate in community art projects, and engage in conversations centered on leadership, courage, and healing. These interactive experiences invite residents and visitors alike to reflect on the enduring relevance of the park’s legacy.
The day will culminate from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with an Hour of Remembrance, featuring Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s historic speech, along with community awards and appearances by local dignitaries.
During a campaign stop in Indianapolis on April 4, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy delivered an improvised speech in the park hours after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Despite the fears of riots and fear for his safety, RFK made his speech — many in the crowd did not know that King had been killed. He called for peace and unity, while also acknowledging the anger many felt at King’s killer being a white man. He reminded the audience that his brother, President John F. Kennedy, was also killed by a white man in 1963. It is considered one of the greatest speeches in U.S. history. The crowd remained calm, and broke into applause at the end. RFK was murdered two months later in Los Angeles.
The event is free and open to the public. Additional details are available at https://kennedykingindy.org/commemoration-event.
