Witness to History: Rev. Kyles Recalls King Assassination

[Liberty Belle]

Source: East County Maagzine

January 15, 2010 (San Diego) – In a powerful speech, Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles, last surviving witness to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., brought tears to the eyes of many with his recollections of King’s final hours and an impassioned plea for audience members to “hold fast to your dreams.”



Kyles spoke at the YMCA of San Diego’s 25th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Dignity Awards breakfast this morning at the Town and Country Hotel.(view video highlights of his speech)



Kyles, 75, has served as pastor of the Monumental Baptist Church in Memphis for the past half century and has been a leading figure in the civil rights movement nationally. He helped integrate public schools , city buses, public places and workplaces in Memphis. A leader in the Rainbow Coalition/PUSH, he also serves on the National Civil Rights Museum Board of Directors. He has won numerous awrsds including the Tennessee Living Legend Award, City of Memphis Humanitarian Award, Ford Freedom Legacy Award, and the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.


In San Diego, his speech recalled the dreams of his ancestors, who were slaves, and urged those in the audience to continue King’s legacy by aspiring to fulfill their own dreams. Election of Barack Obama, the first African-American president, demonstrates how far America has come in race relations, he noted. He spoke movingly of King’s courage in coming to Memphis to lead striking garbage workers after surviving a stabbing, and recalled King speaking of death in a prescient way. He also recalled his own family’s battle to fight segregation in the South and offered inspirational words that drew a standing ovation following his fiery oratory.

Read more: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2566

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This was a very powerful speech and detailed recollection of one of our nation's most painful and poignant moments in tie.

[Rhiannon12866]

1. K&R. I've seen interviews and documentary footage of Kyles.

It's fascinating stuff. He had a front row seat to history...

[Liberty Belle]

2. Yes, and spent years thinking why me? Why was I there that day?

He gives a compelling answer in his speech.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. Thanks so much for posting this.

I can't remember exactly where and when I saw him, but it was truly compelling and I've never forgotten the man and what he said. I was doubly impressed that he was willing to talk about what must have been a unbelievably painful chapter in his life, considering how close he was, but he recounted his first-hand account, anyway, to our benefit. :patriot: