Emory buys SCLC archives

Historical records for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference are now housed at Emory University in Atlanta. Documents include sympathy cards when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, drafts of speeches and photographs. The SCLC was co-founded in 1957 by Dr. King and other African American leaders from across the South with the purpose of advancing the cause of racial equality. Emory purchased the material but will not disclose for what price.

MLK lieutenant, SCLC leader dies

One of the lieutenants of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference who worked alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement has died.

The Rev. James E. Orange of Birmingham, Ala., died on Saturday at Crawford Long Hospital. He was 65.

Orange marched in his hometown in 1963 alongside King and the Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, to help integrate facilities and transportation. He lived in southwest Atlanta for more than four decades.

As project coordinator with the SCLC from 1965 to 1970, Orange later became a regional coordinator with AFL-CIO in Atlanta, where he incorporated King's nonviolence philosophy and promoted unity between national labor leaders and King's "beloved community." He retired in 2005.

Since 1995, Orange served as the general coordinator of the Martin Luther King Jr. March Committee-Africa/African-American Renaissance Committee. The organization coordinates the country's most watched and heavily attended events of the King national holiday and led in the efforts to promote industry and general commerce between Atlanta and the U.S. with South Africa.

Orange is survived by his wife, Cleo; five children; two grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends in Atlanta and Alabama.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced next week.

(The Associated Press)

SCLC behind on financial reports

The IRS says The Southern Christian Leadership Conference has failed to file financial forms for nearly three years. Nonprofit organizations such as the SCLC are required to file such reports annually -- to account for donations. Atlanta native Doctor Martin Luther King Junior co-founded the organization in 1957. The SCLC says it will catch up with financial reports.

SCLC skirts Vick honor

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference won't recognize embattled Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick after all. Last week SCLC President Charles Steele said the group was discussing how Vick would be acknowledged at the annual meeting in Atlanta. However, Vick can’t travel outside of Virginia where he faces federal dog fighting charges. Today an SCLC spokesman said the group won’t honor Vick and that earlier remarks meant only that the SCLC supports Vick because everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

Clinton, Obama at SCLC gathering

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference continues its six-day event in Atlanta today, as the group marks its 50th anniversary.

This afternoon, former President Bill Clinton will be on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a new headquarters for the SCLC. Also expected this week is his wife Hilary. Mrs. Clinton will address delegates as her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination continues. Over the weekend, Illinois senator Barack Obama spoke to the SCLC gathering.

Civil rights group celebrates 50 years

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference kicks off its annual convention in Atlanta tomorrow. This is the SCLC’s 50th anniversary year. It was co-founded by Atlanta native and late civil rights leader Doctor Martin Luther King Junior. The civil rights group will be focusing on economic empowerment and voting rights. Democratic presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are expected to attend, along with former President Bill Clinton. The group says it invited all presidential candidates as well as President George Bush.