< A group of Jamaicans residing in Atlanta flank Mrs. Glynne Manley while she stoops in front of the footsteps of former Prime Minister, Michael Manley, who was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, located at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, on Auburn Avenue, downtown Atlanta, on Saturday, January 12, 2008..

The late former Prime Minister, Michael Manley, was formally accorded his place in the pantheon of the world's foremost civil rights champions, after he was inducted posthumously into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, January 12, 2008.

Mr. Manley’s footprints were unveiled by his widow, Mrs. Glynne Manley, alongside ten other revered civil rights luminaries, on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, located at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, on Auburn Avenue, downtown Atlanta.  The Former Prime Minister is the first Jamaican leader to be inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, sharing that position with such other American civil rights icons as poet Maya Angelou; singer-dancer Sammy Davis, Jr.; activist Benjamin Hooks; radio host Tom Joyner; and Martin Luther King’s attorney, Clarence B. Jones.

In presenting Mr. Manley to be inducted at the ceremony held at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Trumpet Awards Foundation’s executive director, Xernona Clayton, said “Today is a very special day for the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, as we induct an outstanding son of Jamaica, whose legacy will live on.”

She pointed out that the former prime minister of Jamaica was selected for induction into this Civil Rights Walk of Fame based not only on the outstanding contribution he made during his life, but also because of his powerful enduring legacy in civil rights, sharing in some of the dreams and struggles of legendary civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr.

In responding to the glowing tribute paid to the former Prime Minister, his widow thanked the Foundation for the honour bestowed upon her late husband, and pointed out that this honour also goes to the citizens of our great country, Jamaica.

She said that Mr. Manley always maintained that justice must be universal whether in terms of domestic or international economic relations or the power equations between races.  Those who knew him understood that the most persistent impulse that motivated him throughout his life and career was his passion for equality and justice.

Chairman of the Michael Manley Foundation, Danny Roberts, who accompanied Mrs. Manley, said that the induction of Mr. Manley is a momentous one and that he did not know that he had so much impact on the international stage. “To have him honoured in this way ten years after his death, endorses his philosophy and ideas that he has always expounded.”  He pointed out that Mr. Manley has been recognized today internationally, and that the time has come for his country to honour him by making him a National Hero.

A significant part of today’s ceremony was the presentation of the International Civil Rights Medal to Mrs. Manley by Mrs. Sylvia Ashley, Vice President of GoodWorks International.  A pair of Mr. Manley’s shoes is now on display and forms part of the historical International Civil Rights Walk of Fame exhibition, which will be mounted internationally.

A wide cross-section of the Jamaican community in Atlanta was on hand to witness this historical occasion, and expressed feelings of pride, saying that this was a great moment for Jamaica.

Manley’s footprints will join others from previous years, including those of: former US presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Lyndon B. Johnson; current Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and former mayors Andrew Young and the late Maynard Jackson; the late former Bahamian Prime Minister Lynden Pindling; Harry Belafonte; Stevie Wonder; Sidney Poitier; Lena Horne; Congresswoman Maxine Waters; Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Dick Gregory, Julian Bond; Medgar Evers; Rosa Parks; and Thurgood Marshall;  The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame was created five years ago as an added feature of the Trumpet Awards, and recognises those who sacrificed and struggled to make equality a reality for all.  The Civil Rights Walk of Fame display has become one of Atlanta’s most visited tourist attractions, and has enriched the heritage of the civil rights movement.       

The annual Trumpet Awards programme, which began on Thursday, January 10th, culminated on Sunday, January 13th, with the presentation of the awards at the Atlanta Civic Center. Inaugurated in 1993, the Trumpet Awards honor African American achievers in many different fields of endeavour, including law, business, medicine, politics, entertainment and public service. A Who’s Who in international civil rights and Black America were in attendance.


Derrick A. Scott
JIS Washington DC
                         

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