Similar to what was done with the Kennedy assassination, the US government under Donald Trump has decided to declassify over 230,000 pages of documents related to the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., which occurred in April 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee, as reported by Efe.
"The American people deserve answers decades after the horrendous assassination of one of our nation's great leaders," stated US Attorney General Pam Bondi when announcing the declassification.
Bondi welcomed activist and niece of the slain leader, Alveda King, at the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington to commemorate the event, as reported in a statement by the Department of Justice.
"I am grateful to President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for fulfilling their promise of transparency by releasing these documents," expressed King. "My uncle lived courageously in pursuit of truth and justice, and his legacy of faith continues to inspire Americans to this day," she added.
The niece of the African American leader, born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929, stated that the declassification and publication of these documents is "a historic step towards the truth that the American people deserve."
During the meeting, Bondi and King discussed the life and legacy of Reverend King, as well as the importance of shedding light on his death at the age of 39.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a pastor and leader of the civil rights movement in the US, recognized for his peaceful struggle against racism and inequality.
His historic speech 'I Have a Dream' and his role in the passage of key laws made him a global historical figure.
The reverend was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, while supporting a workers' strike. His death caused national shock and reinforced his legacy as a symbol of the fight for justice and equality.
According to the Department of Justice, the declassification is the result of months of collaborative work with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).