Glenn Beck: MLK Assassination to be Commemorated With Re-Segregation of Water Fountains

With this historic event creatively handled, perhaps the transit authority can devise a novel commemoration for the anniversary of King’s assassination, such as a day-long reinstatement of color-coded bus sections.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - I had assumed that my participation in conservative commentator Glenn Beck’s ‘Restoring Honor’ rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.—held today on the anniversary and at the very location of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech—would be limited to supplying faulty directions to said memorial to a group of tourists clad in “Don’t Tread on Me” T-shirts this morning. Out of curiosity I later ended up at the rally myself, where I was informed that the “keynote speaker”, another euphemism for Sarah Palin, had already spoken.

The void left by the termination of Palin’s military rhetoric was now being filled by a bespectacled man near the entrance to the monument grounds wielding a “Who would Jesus bomb?” sign, in response to which conscientious passersby offered such suggestions as Iran. The man with the sign reasoned that, as he had been welcomed neither at the Restoring Honor rally nor at the “leftist gathering” across the street—by which he apparently meant the image of King that had been erected between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol building along with speakers emitting the “I Have a Dream” speech—that he must be nearing the truth, one aspect of which was that wars were for socialists.

Potential additional support for King’s musings on America as a schizophrenic personality then surfaced in the form of a middle-aged father hauling three small children, three posters, and a camera, who hastily distributed one poster to each of the offspring and barked instructions for them to arrange themselves with the Lincoln Memorial in the background. The posters bore slogans such as “President—Hands off of my money”; when the male child proved less than cooperative, he was threateningly reminded that this was a family effort and to “get in there”.

Other collisions with King commemorations were meanwhile referenced yesterday afternoon at a rally in front of the Capitol in favor of Dr. Malachi York, who has variously been identified as a spiritual leader, a Liberian diplomat, and a child molester—with the last identity courtesy of the U.S. court that sentenced him to 135 years of prison in 2004. Supporters of York that I spoke with at the event claimed that condemning testimony had been obtained via FBI coercion and noted that York’s court session had been illegally held on a federal holiday, conveniently the one marking King’s birthday.

As MLK Day and the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington have already been creatively handled, perhaps the Metropolitan Area Transit Authority can devise a novel commemoration for the anniversary of King’s assassination, such as a day-long reinstatement of color-coded bus sections.

Belén is a feature writer at Pulse Media. Her articles also have appeared in CounterPunch, Narco News, Palestine Chronicle, Palestine Think Tank, Rebelión, Tlaxcala, The Electronic Intifada, Upside Down World, and Venezuelanalysis.com. Her book “Coffee with Hezbollah,” a humorous political travelogue chronicling her hitchhiking trip through Lebanon in the aftermath of the 2006 Israeli assault, is available at Amazon, Amazon UK, and Barnes and Noble.

Born in Washington, DC, in 1982, Belén earned her bachelor's degree with a concentration in political science from Columbia University in New York City. Her diverse background of worldwide experiences, created a fantastic writer; one whose work we are extremely happy to share with Salem-News.com viewers. You can contact Belén at: belengarciabernal@gmail.com

Salem-News.com Top Stories

2025: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Two Wars with No Way Out

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Billy_Jack August 28, 2010 11:03 pm (Pacific time)

I am always amused by the rhetorical flip-flap of pointing out an obvious act of divisiveness to be countered with it’s my right to free speech. The other side of one’s right is one’s responsibility too. Another point worth noting is the demographics of those attending – majority appeared to be Caucasians ranging from ages of 35-55. I am beginning to think there is some truth to the fact some Americans cannot seem to come to terms that an African-American sit in the office of the US presidency. It actually might be bothering those groups. I wonder what rhetoric will be spouted when a women or another minority member becomes the next US president.

Joe August 29, 2010 7:57 pm (Pacific time)

Liberals are the biggest racist. I noticed Rev Al and Jesse had nothing planned that day, that's why Beck was able to book the site. You da man Glenn Beck! You guys hate all religious people so how are you any different than a white supremist who hates blacks? You really are no different.

J+ August 29, 2010 11:03 am (Pacific time)

While I know and like little about this delusional demagoge, I'm afraid your Article's title crosses the boundary from blogger-sarcasm to Journalistic misintegrity. In upping the ante in the ridiculous misrepresentation game, you debace your representations and immediately cast your article in a non-objective vengeful light.
[Just my CC]

Editor: If you aren't a humanitarian then you simply wouldn't understand. Belen is top notch and she is on the scene of more world events than most people could name. Yes, she is a tongue in cheek expressionist, we expect you to be able to follow.

Douglas Benson August 29, 2010 10:07 am (Pacific time)

Free speach means YOU WILL BE OFFENDED . Celebrate the right of these people [even if thier idea of freedom is seriously twisted ] to offend you. You have the right to be offended ,you dont have the right to not be offended.Peace

Kevin August 29, 2010 8:15 am (Pacific time)

It appears that this gathering was not designed to be political in nature, but of course nearly everything that happens before a big election will be considered political. The bottom line for me was that this gathering raised millions of dollars for the survivors of our men and women killed in Iraq/Afghanistan. Now that's a winner in my book. I did glance at some of the televised excerpts of this function and noticed the niece of MLK was there as a major speaker, as well as many religious leaders of different faiths. I heard that it was requested that no political signs were to be brought, and it was reported that most observed that request. So here you have hundreds of thousands of people peacefully gathering and raising money for soldiers and Marine survivors dicussing the greatness of America and how they feel the country is off track, nothing disrespectfull about that. Check out the rumors before you draw any conclusions, learned that in grade school myself. That reference about "dark times" certainly had nothing to do with race. A bit over the top to make that connection.

Josh Akers August 28, 2010 10:06 pm (Pacific time)

The fact that people listen to glenn beck and sarah palin is a sign to me that society doesn't really know what it means to be American, and perhaps most never have. That is why I respect Veterans, they have to think long and hard about what it means to be an American. Most of these rabble-rousers would just hide in a closet if shit really hit the fan. How American. That being said, I don't support these false flag wars we're in... Ok, I think I got it all out... phew...

Anonymous August 28, 2010 5:52 pm (Pacific time)

Yeah.. since obama is falling in popularity, lets get sarah and glenn to fix it all. This is the same ol story that has been happening for at least 100 years. Probably more like 7000 years, but here we go again. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. Glenn Beck tells much truth, to get people behind him, but will take those followers and lead them off a cliff just like obama did.. Research, look into the character, Ron Paul has character, too bad his own son doesnt. Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin took over the 'tea party' whatever, thru much money given by the GOP. The democrats do the same thing. sale ol, same ol. Decide: are you going to be a republican, a democrat? or think for yourself?

Peter Carter August 28, 2010 4:49 pm (Pacific time)

Beck is a disease, he is a sickness and there is nothing American in his spirit. He is a worm next to men like King.

Grace56 August 28, 2010 3:51 pm (Pacific time)

So tell me what is your problem Belén, to hate the fact that a half of million people came and all they did was talk about God? the only racist I see here is you!

[Return to Top]