Civil Rights Leader To Be Honored

ATLANTA -  The Rev. James Orange Commission, charged with identifying the most appropriate honor for the late civil rights leader, will present its recommendations to the Atlanta City Council on Friday, October 29, 2010.

On Friday, Rev. Orange would have been 68. He died on February 16, 2008.

Rev. Orange was a leader in the Civil Rights, Labor, and Anti-Poverty Movement for over 40 years. His 1965 jailing sparked a fatal protest that ultimately led to the famed Selma-to-Montgomery march and the Voting Rights Act. He worked side by side with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and was present when King was assassinated in 1968. Rev. Orange resided in the southwest Atlanta neighborhood of Oakland City for four decades while fighting the good fight for equality and social justice for all mankind.

“So many of us have been touched by Rev. Orange’s lessons of service, tolerance, and sacrifice, and for that, we should be eternally grateful,” City Council President Ceasar Mitchell said. “The City Council will review the commission’s recommendations thoroughly and ensure that any tribute established in his name will honor Rev. Orange appropriately.”

In its deliberations, the James Orange Commission held a public hearing to garner input from residents across the City of Atlanta, and several briefings in the Oakland City community.

“I would like to thank the members of this commission for their diligence and hard work,” said Rev. Eric Thomas, Pastor of the St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church and Chairman of the Commission. “The Commission looks forward to the City Council and Mayor approving and fully implementing our recommendations.”

The 15-member Rev. James Orange Commission, which was formed in February (Atlanta City Council Legislative Reference No. 10-R-0223), is comprised of leaders from Atlanta’s civic, business and religious communities.