CHICAGO (October 21, 2004) - Dr. Alveda C. King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., will share her testimony regarding civil rights issues and abortion – and about how these issues impact African-Americans -- at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, in the Chicago Room of the Student Union of the University of Illinois – Chicago, 828 S. Wolcott St. Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, will also be in attendance. Admission is free.

Dr. King is the founder of the non-profit organization “King for America” and author of the book SONS OF THUNDER: THE KING FAMILY LEGACY.

“While African-American women make up approximately 13% of the population in the United States, more than 1/3 of abortions performed in the U.S. are performed on African-American women,” said Mary-Louise Kurey, Director of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Respect Life Office and co-sponsor of Dr. King’s presentation. “Dr. King will explore the effects of this disproportionate impact of abortion on the African-American community, and its relation to t he legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his work.”

A reception and book signing will follow the presentation. The event is co-sponsored the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Black Catholics, the Catholic Conference of Illinois, and the UIC Catholic Medical Students Association.