Donald M. Hyatt was the mayor of Newport News, Virginia from July 1, 1962 to June 30, 1970. He is perhaps best remembered for participating in a march through downtown Newport News following the assassination

Assassination

To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...

 of Martin Luther King Jr., despite threats received by the police chief that if he did so, he "would not reach the foot of 25th Street alive." At the Newport News Victory Arch

Newport News Victory Arch

The Newport News Victory Arch is a monument in Newport News, Virginia, erected first in 1919 and then rebuilt in 1962. The Victory Arch was established as a memorial to those who served in the American armed forces during periods of war. It is located on 25th Street and West Avenue in downtown...

, he called on the black community of the city to "work together to build this community...in mutual respect."