Did George Lucas donate to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial?

Yes. George Lucas donated $1 million to support the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial project in Washington, D.C.

Where is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial located?

It is located in Washington, D.C., near the National Mall.

What did George Lucas say about Martin Luther King Jr.?

Lucas said Dr. King’s ideals and principles have never been forgotten and remain relevant today.

What does this have to do with Star Wars?

Star Wars is rooted in themes of resistance, justice, and hope — values that connect naturally to MLK’s legacy and civil rights history.

George Lucas Donated $1 Million to the MLK Memorial (MLK Day Star Wars Story)

Star Wars is usually where people go to escape the real world.

But every once in a while, the galaxy far, far away loops back into something very real — and very human.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a story has been resurfacing online that feels especially worth remembering: George Lucas donated $1 million to help build the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C.

And the quote Lucas shared about Dr. King back then?
It still lands like a brick.

The Lucas Donation: $1 Million Toward the MLK Memorial

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. wasn’t just built through government funding — it relied heavily on private donors.

And among the names on that donor list is George Lucas, who contributed $1 million to the memorial project.

This isn’t one of those “internet factoids” with no source, either — it was covered at the time by multiple outlets and later referenced in donor reporting.

The George Lucas Quote About MLK (And Why It Still Matters)

More than 20 years ago, Lucas described Dr. King’s impact in a way that feels painfully current:

“The ideals and principles for which Dr. King fought have never been forgotten and are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago.”

It’s one of those statements that doesn’t age. It just… stays true.

Especially in 2026, when it often feels like society is fighting old battles again — just with better Wi-Fi.

What This Has to Do With Star Wars (And Why It Belongs Here)

Star Wars has always been political in the sense that it’s always been about power:

empires vs people
oppression vs resistance
fear vs hope
violence vs moral courage

You don’t need to force a metaphor.

Star Wars is literally built on the idea that ordinary people can resist systems that seem too big to defeat.

And MLK’s legacy is one of the clearest real-world examples of that kind of courage — not through fantasy heroics, but through persistence, empathy, and conviction.

Lucas supporting an MLK memorial isn’t “random celebrity philanthropy.”

It’s aligned with what Star Wars pretends to be about when it’s at its best.

MLK Day: A Reminder That Stories Can Point Somewhere Better

There’s a reason MLK Day still hits so hard.

It isn’t just history. It’s unfinished business.

And if there’s one thing Star Wars fans understand, it’s that symbols matter — because symbols shape people.

So yeah… it’s worth sharing:

George Lucas helped fund a memorial to Martin Luther King Jr.

And the message he attached to it still holds up.

The Real Force Is What You Choose to Build

Star Wars gave the world unforgettable stories.

But this is one of those moments where the creator did something off-screen that deserves just as much attention.

A million-dollar donation is huge.

But the bigger idea is this:

Dr. King’s ideals didn’t expire — and neither did the responsibility to live up to them.

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