City Dedicates Road to Martin Luther King, Jr.

Local residents gathered in front of the Saturday to rededicate Bridge Street as "Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way."

led the ceremony, honoring the late Civil Rights leader:

“Bridge Street is special because our police department stands on it; it is a 'bridge' between the and the ," said Suozzi, on his choice to re-name the downtown Glen Cove road.

R&B star Ashanti, who is a former Glen Cove resident, made a special appearance at the dedication, along with her family. Assemb. and Glen Cove City Council members were also in attendance.

Although Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is not until Jan. 16, Saturday was chosen to honor King for several significant reasons, according to Suozzi.

"It's the season of giving, when everyone is treating each other with respect and kindness," he said. "It’s also the month that Washington D.C. dedicated a monument to Martin Luther King, Jr. in Monument Hall."

The weather was also a contributing factor in choosing a date, said Suozzi, as temperatures tend to be warmer in December, when compared to January.

Emotions ran high as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission member Jean Ealy spoke about King, and what he and the Civil Rights Movement meant to her. She was also given the honor of revealing the sign to the public.

Fellow Commission member, and Ashanti's aunt, Sheryl Goodine said she was pleased to see the city honoring King in this way:

"It's the entrance way to our city, and the perfect place for it," said Goodine. "I’m honored to be apart of today's events.”

Suozzi added: "This street is special to me because my father and Sheryl Goodine's father lead the first march in honor of Martin Luther King on this very street, from the First Baptist Church, up to the middle school."