New statue was dedicated Wednesday in Essex County.
NEWARK -- It has been exactly 51 years since Martin Luther King Jr. received the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, and a new statue in New Jersey will forever commemorate the anniversary.
Essex County officials unveiled Wednesday an eight-foot tall bronze statue of the civil rights leader. Placed on a three-foot tall granite pedestal and located in a plaza next to the county Hall of Records in Newark, it is engraved with "I have a dream," and other inspirational words. The plaza has also been named in King's honor, county officials said.
"Streets and a school are named in his honor and his bust is in Newark City Hall, but until now there has not been a statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Essex County," Executive Joseph DiVincenzo said in a statement about the unveiling.
"Having his statue in front of the Hall of Records overlooking the street that bears his name will be a constant reminder of Dr. King's sacrifice and contributions, keeping his dream alive."
The statue, created by Oregon-based artist Jay Warren, joins a long line of others around the county honoring civil rights activists. Officials unveiled the nearby statue of Rosa Parks at the Essex County Courthouse last year.
"I don't know if we understand how spiritual and important this day is," Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a release about the statue.
"This is a time celebrate Dr. King as he lived and as how we all should live."
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.