Consul General Shinozuka Participates in Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Memorial Event

    On Monday, January 18, an event commemorating the 87th birthday anniversary of the late U.S. civil rights movement leader, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. (King), was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church (EBC) in Atlanta. Consul General (CG) Takashi Shinozuka joined other members of the consular corps in the “Bell-Ringing Ceremony.” Attendees included Dr. Bernice King, King’s daughter, King’s family members and friends, King Center representatives, EBC Reverend Dr. Raphael Warnock, Christian, Jewish, and Islamic clergy, federal government representatives Julian Castro, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Johnny Isakson, U.S. Senator from Georgia, and Sanford Bishop, U.S. Representative for Georgia, Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle from the state government, and Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell. The attendees emphasized the importance of conveying the action and sprit of King with the next generation. Following a recitation by students of King’s famous speech in Chicago, the “Bell-Ringing Ceremony” was held with members of the consular corps. CG Shinozuka sounded a handbell on behalf of Japan to pray for freedom.