Biden is the first US president to speak at a mass at Martin Luther Church
US President Joe Biden becomes the first US president while still in office to deliver a speech during Sunday services at Martin Luther King Jr. Church in Atlanta, as he seeks to boost his popularity among black Americans before the expected announcement of his candidacy for the elections scheduled for 2024.
On the occasion of National Day commemorating the famous civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968, Biden will deliver a speech at the Ebenezer Baptist Church at the invitation of its sponsor, Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock, Georgia.
King would have completed his ninety-fourth year today, Sunday, but he was assassinated at the age of 39 in Tennessee by James Earl Ray.
King was pastor of Ebenezer Church from 1960 until his death.
Many presidents, including Biden, have already visited Ebenezer in appreciation of King, and visits are usually during events close to his birthday.
But on Sunday, Biden will be the first to address a regular morning service.
Biden's visit to Atlanta comes at a time when he is preparing for what is expected to be an announcement of his candidacy for re-election in the coming weeks.
Biden won the 2020 election with strong support from black voters after pledging to do more to expand voting rights and address other issues of race justice.
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