MLK Jr. statue dedication today at MacGregor Park

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- African American leaders in southeast Houston are gearing up for the unveiling of a statue dedicated to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Many Houstonians have been waiting a long time for this. The dream of erecting a statue to honor the civil rights leader started 33 years ago.

Community leaders who worked to make that dream a reality joined elected officials like Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee for a reception at the Memorial Plaza in MacGregor Park.

Councilman Dwight Boykins says not everyone can go to Washington to see the national memorial. But they can celebrate Dr. King's legacy right here at home.

"Allow children to come up, touch that statue, spend time around it, play around it and understand the history and historical part of that statue," Boykins said.

Dr. King's eldest son, Martin Luther King III, is expected to attend Saturday's unveiling.