Join us for a powerful commemorative march hosted by the Christian Council on Urban Affairs on April 4th at 10:00 AM. We will gather on the steps of the Divine Tree of Life Mission Baptist Church, located at 3837 West Harrison in Chicago. Your presence is essential as we stand together for our cause!
“It’s important for us to remember the bridge that brought us across. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., lived in the Lawndale community, where he stood and fought for fair housing. We believe it’s crucial to honor his legacy through this MARCH.”
The march will span three miles and will conclude at the Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church, located at 3622 W. Douglas Boulevard. A rally will begin at 11:00 AM, featuring the Honorable Congressman Danny Davis from the 7th District as our keynote speaker.
Pastor Jakes mentioned the symbolic MARCH will be held on the day that King was assassinated in 1968, April 4th, on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
“We will never forget Martin Luther King Jr. We will never forget what he stood for his legacy and we’ll never forget how important it is to maintain the gains that have been made by him and others who fought and stood in the Civil rights movement.”
This march holds significant importance given the current administration’s actions and policies.
“Our people are being targeted to be forced back into the hard, dark, deep state of oppression, poverty, and powerlessness by an unfair system of social, economic, and political racism by the current administration. We believe that billionaires should not be bullies. We believe that the words of Dr. King and the gospel that we preach are the vehicles to combat the insanity spoken daily by people in the Oval Office.”
Pastor Jakes believes that erasing black history is detrimental. The Trump Administration’s decision to eliminate the national holiday for Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a regression for the country.
“The affirmative action programs have yielded significant benefits that help us address the racism prevalent in our country. We must also focus on the violence highlighted by the George Floyd incident and support legislation that aims to reform policing, ensuring that people of color are protected and not neglected. Additionally, the Voting Rights Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act are crucial, as they promote equal opportunities to vote. All of these measures are incredibly important.”
Additionally, Pastor Jakes serves as the chairman of the Christian Council on Urban Affairs (CCOUA), a role he has held for many years. This organization has consistently addressed various social issues and has recently revitalized its efforts to support communities across the country.
CCOUA has branches in Atlanta, St. Louis, and Arkansas, with local pastors who have committed to working alongside them. After facing numerous challenges in recent years, the CCOUA recognizes the importance of not remaining silent.
The organization has been involved in notable cases, such as those of Jeremiah Meredith, Latonya Haggerty, and Robert Russ.
“We stood up as a voice during those tragedies and many others, doing our part during that time,” Pastor Jakes stated. “And here we are again in 2025.”
