The City of Atlanta and the Atlanta City Council have voted to rename Freedom Parkway "John Lewis Freedom Parkway" and to dedicate a Freedom Riders Play Space in the park in honor of U.S. Congressman John Lewis. Atlanta City Council Member, Andre Dickens, headed up the effort that was unanimously supported by the Inman Park Neighborhood Association several months ago. The dedication ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018 in the 600 block of Barnett Street, N.E. behind Moe’s Southwest Grill. The new street signage unveiling will take place at the southeast corner of Freedom Parkway and Ponce de Leon Avenue. In a press release from the city, it stated "In March 2017, the Atlanta City Council unanimously passed a resolution authored by Councilmember Andre Dickens and cosponsored by all council members to create a Task Force to determine an appropriate manner in which to honor U.S. Congressman John Lewis, such as renaming a street or naming or dedicating a public place such as a building, plaza, park or other similar public place. It was determined after public deliberation and input that Freedom Parkway should be renamed to honor the Congressman and Civil Rights leader who has dedicated his life to fighting for the freedom and humanity of others."
Full Press Release below.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
August 17, 2018
The City of Atlanta to Rename Freedom Parkway & Dedicate Freedom Riders Play Space in Honor of U.S. Congressman John Lewis
WHO: The Honorable John Lewis
The Honorable Keisha Lance Bottoms
The Honorable Andre Dickens
Members of the Atlanta City Council
WHAT: Freedom Parkway will be renamed “John Lewis Freedom Parkway.” Freedom Riders play space to be dedicated
WHEN: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018
WHERE: Dedication ceremony will take place in the 600 block of Barnett Street, N.E. behind Moe’s Southwest Grill. The new street signage unveiling will take place at the southeast corner of Freedom Parkway and Ponce de Leon Avenue.
VISUALS: Dedication ceremony, signage unveiling, interviews, photo and video opportunity
BACKGROUND: In March 2017, the Atlanta City Council unanimously passed a resolution authored by Council member Andre Dickens and cosponsored by all council members to create a Task Force to determine an appropriate manner in which to honor U.S. Congressman John Lewis, such as renaming a street or naming or dedicating a public place such as a building, plaza, park or other similar public place. It was determined after public deliberation and input that Freedom Parkway should be renamed to honor the Congressman and Civil Rights leader who has dedicated his life to fighting for the freedom and humanity of others.
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