MLK Memorial Service adjustments (due to approaching hurricane and earthquake's damage to National Cathedral)

from USA TODAY posted update from CEO of the Martin Luther King National Memorial Project foundation --

At a press conference Thursday August 25, 2011, the head of the memorial foundation said that dedication plans are proceeding, pending any possible storm-related changes.
"We're going forth with our program," said foundation CEO Harry Johnson. "We will bring you back tomorrow to talk about if, in fact, we'll have any change, but today we're still confident that we're moving forward with the dedication of the Martin Luther King Memorial."
The final decision about whether to postpone or move the ceremony, slated for 10 a.m. Sunday on the National Mall, rests with the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation in conjunction with the National Park Service, Johnson said.
Safety concerns are being weighed with the fact that thousands of visitors from across the country have made plans to attend, he added.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, situated on the Tidal Basin between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, seen Monday evening during a public preview. The memorial is to be dedicated Sunday morning on the National Mall, depending on Hurricane Irene.

CAPTION

By Charles Dharapak, AP

Original post: Plans for Sunday's dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial are up in the air because of Hurricane Irene.

The National Park Service and the National Park Police have not made any decisions on whether to cancel the event, said Sgt. David Schlosser, a spokesman for the park police. He says the two agencies will decide based on the forecasts from the National Hurricane Center.
The Category 3 storm, packing winds of up to 115 mph, is expected to hit the Washington, D.C., region late Saturday and early Sunday.  The foundation organizing Sunday's event on the National Mall is holding a press conference that was set to begin at 2:30 p.m. to discuss the impact of the weather on the dedication.
A statement by the foundation president, Harry Johnson, invited people to attend Sunday, "come rain or shine."
At a luncheon for civil rights pioneers Thursday afternoon, National Urban League CEO Marc Morial said the strategy for preparing for Irene is "prayer."  Foundation officials said their plans for Sunday are still in place but they say they are reviewing their plans.
Two other events leading up to the dedication had to be moved because of earthquake damage to the buildings where the events were to be held.
A gala Wednesday night (Aug. 24) to kick off the five-days of festivities had to be moved from the National Building Museum to the convention center, and Saturday's interfaith service (Aug. 27) at the Washington National Cathedral was moved to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.