If a group of Baltimore pastors and ministers has anything to do with it, the lessons of racial harmony and nonviolent resistance propagated by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. won't soon be forgotten.

In honor of the 40th anniversary of King's assassination in 1968, the clergy members announced yesterday their plan to hold a 40-day "campaign for peace," starting Feb. 25, that is to include prayer vigils, consecrations of sites where violent crimes occurred and a commemorative march in Baltimore on April 4, the date of King's death.

"Forty years later, the dream has become a nightmare," said the Rev. Hoffman F. Brown III, pastor of Wayland Baptist Church in Northwest Baltimore, during a news conference as he invoked King's legendary "I have a dream" speech. "The issue of racial segregation, poor education and economic disparity is greater in 2008 than it was in 1968."

Brown, flanked by fellow ministers who began the proceedings by linking hands and singing "We Shall Overcome," said blacks "are still in bondage, and we are still struggling," and that there are still "signs of a divided America where fear and force continue to drive a wedge between committed citizens."

As those listening to him signaled their agreement with shouts and exclamations, Brown said the "issues of justice and equality are just as important today as they have ever been."

The coalition of religious entities taking part in the commemorative events includes Calvary Baptist Church, Pennsylvania Avenue AME Zion Church, Kingdom Life Church, Mount Moriah Baptist Church and the Muhammad Mosque - the latter just down the street on Garrison Boulevard from Brown's Wayland Baptist Church.

The march April 4 is to be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., although details of the route are still being worked out.

nick.madigan@baltsun.com