By Associated Press
Athens, AL – A civil rights group is complaining about a decision by the city of Athens to name a new street in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
City Council members on Monday decided to name a 55-acre industrial tract for King, and the city wants to build a King monument there. They also decided to name a new, nearby street in honor of King.
But local leaders of the N-double-A-C-P opposed the move. The Limestone County president of the group, Bernard Simelton, says members want to have a more prominent road named for King.
He says the new M-L-K road is a ''shortcut through the woods'' and a slap in the face.
A councilman, Johnny Crutcher, says there's no point in seeking another road named for King because the city can't have two roads with the same name.
Opposition from white and black residents resulted in the council turning down earlier bids to rename streets for King.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)