American RadioWorks Presents "King's Last March"
Contact: Brad Robideau
(651) 290-1113
brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
www.americanpublicmedia.org
American RadioWorks Presents "King's Last March"
Public Radio Documentary Describes the Turbulent Last Year ofDr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Life
(St. Paul, Minn.) March 27, 2008—American RadioWorks, the award-winning documentary unit of American Public Media, today announced "King's Last March," a new public radio documentary that traces the difficult and surprising last year of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 4, 2008, is the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's assassination. In recognition of this significant anniversary, American RadioWorks looks at one of the most difficult and fascinating years of Dr. Kingís life—his last year. For many people, the enduring image of King is when he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 to give his "I Have A Dream" speech. He was at the height of his political and social power then.
By 1967, Dr. King's message to the nation had become more challenging and more radical than many people remember. He condemned America's war in Vietnam, and he castigated the government for failing to help America's poor. Dr. King was convinced that the nation's struggles with racism, poverty and war were inextricably linked. While his critics said he was sacrificing the domestic aims of the civil rights movement by speaking out against the Vietnam War, Dr. King believed he could not do otherwise.
"King's Last March uses archival audio, compelling interviews and a rich array of King recordings to draw a vivid picture of Dr. King in the final year of his life," said Stephen Smith, American RadioWorks executive editor and host. "Many listeners will discover a King they never knew."
TUNE IN: "King's Last March" will be broadcast on public radio stations nationwide. Check local listings for availability.
WEB SITE: "King's Last March" has a companion Web site, www.americanradioworks.org, which includes extended audio excerpts of speeches and sermons Dr. King made in the last year of his life, along with slideshows, essays and secret documents from Dr. King's FBI file.
SOURCES: "King's Last March" producers Stephen Smith and Kate Ellis of American RadioWorks are available for interviews. Please contact Brad Robideau at American Public Media at (651) 290-1113 or brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org to arrange.
American RadioWorks
Based in St. Paul, Minn., American RadioWorks is public radio's largest documentary production unit. American RadioWorks creates documentaries, series projects and investigative reports for the public radio system and the Internet. Its hour-long specials provide in-depth reporting on public affairs, social and cultural subjects and the 20th-century experience. Major funding for American RadioWorks is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. American RadioWorks is on the Web at www.americanradioworks.org.
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