October 14, 2025
A 26-year-old Black man named Brent Jones has been charged for damaging the property.
A number of elements of Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic burial web site in Atlanta have been vandalized.
The monument, holding the tomb of King and his spouse, Coretta Scott King, has been a mainstay within the Atlanta neighborhood the place the famed civil rights chief grew up. Nonetheless, a 26-year-old Black man named Brent Jones just lately trespassed and allegedly broken the property. Police swiftly arrested Jones for reportedly vandalizing the historic web site.
In accordance with WSB-TV, police say Jones urinated in the swimming pools of water surrounding the tombs whereas stomping and breaking the Everlasting Flame. Jones now holds expenses of public indecency, trespassing, prison harm, and obstruction.
The King Middle, formally often known as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle for Nonviolent Social Change, has supplied academic programming, excursions, and occasions for guests internationally. Because the host web site for Dr. King’s life and legacy, the middle promotes the late activist’s values of racial justice and equality, whereas additionally paying homage to his spouse’s efforts for long-lasting change.
The King Middle launched an announcement on the act of vandalism, calling it a “minor incident” that won’t thwart its effort to unfold King’s message of peace and tolerance.
Official Assertion from The King Middle Relating to Vandalism of the Everlasting Flame
“The King Middle is conscious of a minor incident that occurred close to the Everlasting Flame. Whereas there was minimal harm to the Everlasting Flame and the encompassing space, The King Middle stays absolutely open… pic.twitter.com/D0Yeqy2zVc
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle (@TheKingCenter) October 11, 2025
“The King Middle is conscious of a minor incident that occurred close to the Everlasting Flame,” detailed the middle. “Whereas there was minimal harm to the Everlasting Flame and the encompassing space, the King Middle stays absolutely open to guests. The Everlasting Flame nonetheless burns with love, and we proceed to welcome everybody with open arms and gratitude for the unimaginable help of our beloved neighborhood. The dream lives on.”
The King Middle has remained open regardless of the MLK Jr. Historic Park’s closure within the midst of the federal government shutdown. Though part of the Park’s choices, it stays its personal non-profit, and thus continues to be open for guests to study extra about King’s activism.
As for Jones, he stays in custody at Fulton County Jail.
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