Boston Unveils ”The Embrace” Statue Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King [Video]

Boston unveils a statue in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

On Friday, a sculpture was revealed depicting the popular image of Dr. King and Coretta hugging. The 20-foot statue called “The Embrace” was created to represent the hug Dr. King and Coretta shared after he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

The $10 million bronze sculpture stands at the Freedom Plaza of the Boston Common, which is also America’s first public park. In addition, visitors can also get a digital experience learning more about The Embrace, Dr. King’s legacy, and the Freedom Plaza through a self-guided app.

Imari Paris Jeffries, the project’s executive director, says the sculpture is important because it not only highlights the civil rights movement but also represents black love.

“We want one of the messages that stay in people’s minds is that this is one of the few memorials in this country that is rooted on the story of a Black family, Black love,” Jeffries said.

The Kings’ granddaughter, Yolanda Renee King, attended the unveiling and asked the crowd to continue her grandparent’s “unfinished work.”

“This is the spirit we must keep as we commemorate the 37th Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on Monday,” Yolanda said. “Let’s make it a great day of community service. A day of brotherhood, a day of sisterhood, a day of using your platform for good. A day of love and healing in the spirit of this wonderful monument.”