Martin Luther King Jr. memorial

A new memorial to US civil rights leader Martin Luther King has unveiled a memorial to honor his contributions to the civil rights movement. Until the 1960s, Black and white Americans were kept separate in public places - including schools and hotels.
But now, people of all races and religions will be able to come and celebrate Dr King's legacy at America's National Mall -- the preserve of memorials to former Presidents and war heroes -- which now welcomes a towering man of peace. Al Jazeera's John Terret reports from Washington.



Barack Obama, the US President, has honoured the legacy of Martin Luther King Junior, at the unveiling of a new memorial dedicated to the civil rights leader. In reference to the "occupy Wall Street" protests, Obama said King also fought for economic justice. Tens of thousands of people turned out to witness the dedication of the memorial to Martin Luther King. The first monument honouring an African American on the National Mall, and the first not dedicated to a former President or a war. In his speech the president hailed King's contribution to American life, and noted his work is far from over amid the economic crisis that has left millions out of work, and poverty on the rise, especially in minority communities. Al Jazeera's John Terrett reports from Washington DC.