Hundreds of visitors lined up outside the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Monday morning to be among the first to see the 28-foot statue of the pre-eminent civil rights leader. As the first crowds passed through the “Mountain of Despair” — two large stones guarding the entrance to the monument — to reach the Mall’s newest addition, many approached in silence, some in tears.

“It’s emotional. It’s a memory of the past, the present and future,” Upper Marlboro resident Crystal Randall said while wiping away tears. “This is the dream. He fought. He didn’t give up.”

Recommended Stories

DC Public Schools seeks longer school day, school year

DC Public Charter School Board tries to reduce ‘zero tolerance’ policies

D.C. Council mulls punishing parents of truant public school students