Edwards Attends Church Service on Eve of MLK Day

ABC News’ Raelyn Johnson reports: Standing outside Zion Baptist Church in Columbia, So. Carolina, former No. Carolina Sen. John Edwards sought to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King by attending a church service in honor of the historic leader.

Prior to the service, Edwards made brief remarks outside the church.

Recalling the poverty tour he embarked on last August, Edwards noted a visit to Marks, Miss., an impoverished town that Dr. King visited in 1967 on his Poor People’s Campaign.

“Dr. King described [Marks] as an island of poverty in a sea of affluence. We saw much of what he saw. Some things had changed, but much remained the same. And it’s a huge moral issue which Dr. King spoke about repeatedly, facing this country — what will we do to end poverty? … we have a responsibility as a nation to create one America, and to honor the extraordinary leadership and work that Dr. King [did] in this area.”

Edwards sat on the first row pew inside the church.  His presence was acknowledged, but he did not address the congregation.

A boisterous Rev. Charles B. Jackson rallied the mostly African-American congregation around the importance of the black vote in the 2008 election, specifically in South Carolina.

“The hand that once picked cotton is now in the position to pick the next president,” said Jackson.

The congregation stood to their feet, and Edwards rose with them.

Jackson ended his remarks, predicting large voter turnout for the upcoming primary.  “I see history in the making,” he added.

Monday, on Martin Luther King Day, Edwards will make remarks at the state capitol building. Saturday, while in Atlanta, he attended a private meeting with Martin Luther King III. 

“We spent a great deal of time talking about the legacy of Dr. King, and particularly, the issue of economic justice which has been central to my presidential campaign, and central to my life.”