New Statue on Westside Honors Dr. King and His Legacy of Peace

Hundreds of community members gathered at Rodney Cook Sr. Peace Park in historic Vine City on April 1 for World Peace Revival’s unveiling of the “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The statue is named in honor of his final speech the night before his assassination. 

The historic moment celebrating the legacy of Dr. King came just days before the 55th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination on April 4, 1968. Attendees included local civic and business leaders as well as residents who joined to honor the life of the legendary civil rights luminary.

Within walking distance from Dr. King’s Sunset Avenue home, Rodney Cook Sr. Peace Park is home to lasting symbols of the Civil Rights Movement. Rodney Cook Jr., who led the initiative to construct the park named in honor of his father, former state legislator Rodney Mims Cook Sr., has raised more than $25 million to place at least 18 bronze statues in honor of civil rights leaders. The statue of Dr. King joins those of Congressman John Lewis and Ambassador Andrew Young.

An exceptional display of craftsmanship, the powerful bronze figure was designed by artist Kathy Fincher and co-sculpted alongside Stan Mullins. Both artists are known for their memorial works throughout metro Atlanta, including the Chief Tomochichi statue in Midtown and the Dream Keepers 9/11 Memorial in Gwinnett.

This statue of Dr. King uniquely captures his life as a preacher and exemplifies his upbringing and commitment to the Church. Draped in a preacher’s robe with a Bible nestled in his arm, his eyes gaze to the heavens. In an interview with Christianity Today, Fincher said she designed it so he would “be on a mountaintop, and he would be talking to God.”

World Peace Revival was launched as a global prayer movement centered around Dr. King’s commitment to peace. The organization looks to foster unity across all religions and borders, spreading the teachings and tenets of Dr. King’s movement for equity, equality and justice.

Learn more about World Peace Revival: https://worldpeacerevival.org/