Work to begin next week on MLK Memorial quote

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

This Jan. 15, 2012, file photo shows the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, with the quote carved on the side of new memorial in Washington that will be changed. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar endorsed a plan Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012, to remove a disputed inscription from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, rather than cut into the granite to replace it with a fuller quotation.

Associated Press

Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013 | 2:38 p.m.

WASHINGTON — The National Park Service says it will begin work next week to remove a disputed inscription from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

Contractors will start working on Monday to build scaffolding and get equipment in place. Then, on July 29, the sculptor of the memorial, Lei Yixin, will arrive. He will carve grooves over the lettering to match existing marks in the sculpture.

The inscription is a paraphrase from King's "Drum Major" speech. It reads, "I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness."

Critics including the poet Maya Angelou have argued that the quotation was taken out of context and makes King sound arrogant.

The park service says the quotation will be removed in time for the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington on Aug. 28.