Boycott of Mayor's Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Continues to Gain Momentum

“At this day and age, we don't think that a 'kumbaya' breakfast at this moment is the time that we should be at the table with our mayor," said South Side Bishop James Dukes

The list of faith leaders planning to boycott the city’s Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Breakfast with Mayor Rahm Emanuel continues to grow.

More than one activist has said that if Dr. King were alive today even he would not support the event.

“At this day and age, we don't think that a 'kumbaya' breakfast at this moment is the time that we should be at the table with our mayor," said South Side Bishop James Dukes.

Many other prominent city leaders also spoke out on why they won’t be eating and praying with Emanuel Friday morning at the Hyatt McCormick Place. It's a movement that gains steam as clergy believe Martin Luther King's legacy has not been honored in the streets of Chicago.

"Dr. King was an advocate for the poor,” said Rev. Ira Acree. “He was not an agent for the elite. That's why we're here today to announce that we will support the boycott that the activists and other pastors have called for."

The boycotters confirm they want keynote speaker, writer Isabel Wilkerson to pull out from the event, but as of Wednesday afternoon her attendance was still scheduled.

“Her key and core audience is African American, especially African Americans in Chicago,” Bishop Dukes said.

Their end game, it seems, is a meeting on more neutral turf.

“We invite the mayor to the table that we create, not at the table that he creates,” he continued.

The mayor’s office told NBC 5 that despite the scrutiny, Mayor Emanuel still "looks forward to joining faith and community leaders on Friday to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King."

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