Longtime United Methodist pastor and civil rights activist Rev. James Lawson was honored with the co-naming of the street in front of Holman United Methodist Church earlier this month. The January 11 event included a civil rights march of the mile-long section of Adams Boulevard from Crenshaw to Arlington, ending at Holman United Methodist Church. The march was followed by the dedication and unveiling of Rev. James M. Lawson Mile, followed by a screening of the film Rustin at the church.

Rev. Lawson was pastor at Holman United Methodist Church from 1974 until his retirement in 1999. He was honored recently by the Los Angeles City Council which declared September 22 to be “Rev. James M. Lawson, Jr. Day.” The motion to name Rev. James M. Lawson Mile was introduced and championed by Councilwoman Heather Hutt, who said “As someone who pushed for a world of nonviolence and unity amongst all people, we must ensure that his legacy and name is carried on for generations to come. It brings me much joy to pay homage to the immense impact Reverend Lawson has made on our society by naming a portion of Adams Boulevard the Reverend James Lawson Mile.”

Read more about the dedication events and Rev. Lawson’s work from the Los Angeles Daily News below.