Civil Rights Leader Pays Tribute to MLK in Jacksonville and discusses how he is currently dedicating himself to parental choice in education as an extension of his life's work
Over 500 students from The Potter's House Academy attended Rev. H.K. Matthews' tribute to civil rights-both past and present. Matthews, civil rights icon and minister, discussed his civil rights battles over the years and how he is currently dedicating himself to parental choice in education as an extension of his life's work. Matthews is a revered figure in the Florida civil rights movement and he marched with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma. Matthews then worked tirelessly in Pensacola and other Florida cities in the struggle for equality.
The assembly was to celebrate the progress the civil rights movement has made and how empowering low-income parents to choose the best school for their children should be a universal right. The event took place on Dr. King's birthday and Matthews discussed his tumultuous battles over the years in which he was jailed over 35 times.
The attendees represented roughly 20,000 Florida students who currently benefit from the scholarship that empowers low-income families to choose the best educational setting for their children. Potter's House Academy currently educates over 300 students who receive the Step Up For Students Scholarship, locally administered by Children First Florida. In addition, the scholarship is currently enabling over 2,300 students in Duval County to attend a school of their parents' choice. Below is the an account by First Coast News Jacksonville about yesterday's event.
Below is the link to First Coast News Jacksonville. It is a small blurb about the event and a teaser to tune in to the news cast for the whole story.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=99993
Click here to listen to the audio clip
Civil Rights Leader Pays Tribute to MLK in Jacksonville
By Ashley Coleman
First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Civil rights activist Reverend H.K. Matthews told a crowd of 500 young students at The Potter's House of Christian Fellowship that the fight for equality isn't over.
The 79-year-old shared his experiences with the students today, on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.
Matthews is a civil rights icon and minister who marched alongside Dr. King in Selma. He has spent the past 40 years, traveling across Florida for basic liberties.
During the civil rights movement, Matthews was jailed 35 times as a political prisoner. He put his life on the line in his fight for equal rights.
"There were several known contracts out on my life. My house was shot into, my automobile was wired to be blown up. I had some interesting experiences," said Matthews.
He said a police officer was even assigned to kill him during a demonstration.
"You're afraid to sleep at night and afraid to stay awake because you don't want to see what's coming."
Armed guards protected his home.
Matthews also spoke about his support for Step Up For Students Scholarship Program, a Florida non-profit that provides scholarships for low-income families so their children can get the best education possible.
Today's assembly was held on King's birthday and kicked off the school's Black History Month.
