PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Contact: Dan Furmansky, Executive Director
Phone: 301-587-7500
Cell: 301-461-4900
E-mail: Dan@equalitymaryland.org

Contact: Khadijah Tribble, Board Member
Phone: 301-456-5367
Cell: 301-518-9642
E-mail: tribble3@verizon.net

The staff and Board of Directors of Equality Maryland mourn the loss of another herione of the Civil Rights Movement.

Sister Coretta Scott King died Monday evening at the age of 78.

King, who had heart problems and suffered a major stroke in 2005, died Monday during the night. "We appreciate the prayers and condolences from people across the country," the King family statement said. Former Atlanta Mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young broke the news in a call to NBC's "Today Show" yesterday morning.

Khadijah A. Tribble, an Equality Maryland Board member, says she is sadden to hear of the loss of "the first lady of the Civil Rights Movement". "Sister King was a beacon of hope for those in the struggle for equality. I'm reminded of a speech Mrs. King gave in Chicago that has remained my rallying cry to fight against injustice. In that speech she said "Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group." Coretta, like her husband, will never be forgotten.