COMPTON, CA
Leaders Unite to Overcome Bigotry, Unveil Historic Bronze Statue Celebrating Humanity and Civil Rights
MLK & Kenneth Hahn Statue Unveiling
Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, Councilmember Lillie P. Darden Deidre Duhart and Councilman Jonathan Bowers. Compton Unified School District President Charles Davis, CUSD Trustee Satra Zurita and Alma Pleasant. Compton College Trustees Barbara Jean Calhoun, Dr. Sharoni Denise Little all enjoyed witnessing History!
On October 22, 2022 officials, dignitaries and religious leaders united at the Compton Airport to commemorate a history-making moment in the civil rights movement: Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, the only elected official willing to meet Martin Luther King, Jr. on his visit to Los Angeles, welcoming Rev. King at the Compton Airport in 1961. The two shook hands in what has become a famous photograph, now memorialized in bronze thanks to the work of Bishop L. J. Guillory, Executive Director of Ombudsman International.
Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, Councilmember Lillie Darden, Councilmember Jonathan Bowers were among the officials who joined Bishop Guillory at the podium to deliver remarks on the importance of the moment and uniting to overcome racism and hate—now more than ever.
All then gathered around to unveil the majestic bronze statue of Hahn and Rev. King, a symbol of humanity and integrity, as well as the power of one individual taking a stand to conquer bigotry and pave the way for a more inclusive world for all.
The unveiling had a further significance: it marked the inauguration of Ombudsman International’s new homebase to combat hate, the National Anti-Racism and Conflict Resolution Agency at 1021 West Alondra Boulevard in Compton.
“This day is about uniting to overcome bigotry. It is about celebrating anti-racism. It is about doing what is right—whether popular or not,” said Bishop Guillory. “Mr. Hahn set an example we can follow every day of our lives. It is time to do what is right.”
