Hundreds gather to mark the 44th anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

David Goldman / AP

Southern Christian Leadership Conference member Jeremy Ponds bows his head during a moment of prayer at the gravesite of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on April in Atlanta.

Julio Cortez / AP

Elgie Hayes holds a sign during a rally in remembrance of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4 in Newark, N.J.

Julio Cortez / AP

A rally in Newark, N.J.

The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 41968 on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. Events are being held in Memphis and other cities to mark the anniversary of his death, including a candelight vigil at the new Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial, which opened last summer in Washington D.C.

David Goldman / AP

Kate Lafayette, center, sings along during a ceremony in memory of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.on April 4 in Atlanta.

David Goldman / AP

An eternal flame burns at the gravesite of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as the public gathers for a ceremony marking the 44th anniversary of his assassination on April 4 in Atlanta.

Read about more rallies to remember Rev. King and Trayvon Martin

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