Hurricane Irene Threatens MLK Dedication
WASHINGTON - As the East Coast braces for the arrival of Hurricane Irene, Washington is preparing for the dedication of The Martin Luther King, Jr National Memorial on Sunday.
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Mayor Vincent Gray unveiled street signs designating “Martin Luther King Jr. Drive” today and told The Washington Times he and council member Marion Barry were undeterred by the inclement forecast ahead of a Saturday morning march for D.C. autonomy and a Sunday dedication that could draw 250,000 visitors.
Mr. Barry noted the protesters of the 1960s would not have been deterred by wind and rain.
“If they stopped then, we wouldn’t be here now,” Mr. Barry said.
At a press conference this afternoon officials discussed a contingency plan for this weekend.
"We have not made a decision yet," National Park Service spokesman Bill Line said about possible delays Sunday.
"The National Park Service, the U.S. Park Police, the Department of Interior and other federal agencies are paying constant attention and are in communication with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center in Florida," Line said.
