Hope Moving Forward, Statue in Atlanta, United States
Hope Moving Forward is a bronze statue at the intersection of Northside Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Atlanta. The 12-foot (3.7 m) figure of King releasing a dove from his right hand stands on a 6-foot (1.8 m) pedestal. The pedestal bears an inscription with King's name, dates, dedication by the City of Atlanta in 2021, the title, and sculptor Basil Watson, plus the quote "Hate cannot drive out hate; Only love can do that."
The monument was inaugurated in 2021 and became the second statue of King erected in Atlanta within four years. It marked the beginning of a planned series of seven monuments honoring the civil rights leader throughout the city.
The pedestal carries two inscriptions: King's name with the dates January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968, the dedication by the City of Atlanta in 2021, the title "Hope Moving Forward" and sculptor Basil Watson's name, plus the line "Hate cannot drive out hate; Only love can do that."
The monument sits at a busy street intersection and remains easy to access and view throughout daylight hours. Visitors can approach it anytime since it occupies public space with no entrance requirements or restricted access.
The pedestal inscription lists King's dates, January 15, 1929 to April 4, 1968, the city's 2021 dedication and sculptor Basil Watson's name, while the base carries the line "Hate cannot drive out hate; Only love can do that."
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