ATLANTA - Civil rights advocates say they are upset over Governor-elect Sonny Perdue's use of a quote made famous by the Reverend Martin Luther King. <br>
<br>
But Perdue says he intended NO offense when he used the line during his victory speech Tuesday night. <br>
<br>
Perdue made history when he defeated Governor Barnes to end 130 years of Democratic governors in Georgia. <br>
<br>
During a victory party at hotel in Buckhead, Perdue described his joy by quoting what he called ``an old saying.'' <br>
<br>
He then went on to say, ``Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, free at last.'' <br>
<br>
Civil rights leaders, including the Reverend Joseph Lowery, felt the comment was inappropriate. <br>
<br>
Lowery worked closely with King and noted yesterday that King was talking about blacks gaining oppression from oppression when he used the line as the closing of his ``I Have a Dream'' speech in 1963. <br>
<br>
Lowery accused Perdue of stealing the line and saying it -- quote -- ``with a Confederate flag waving behind him.'' He told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the use of the line was inappropriate and that Perdue should explain. <br>
<br>
Longtime King advocate Lynn Cothren called use of the quote thoughtless and said you can't compare the fight over the Governor's Mansion with King addressing issues of poverty, racism and war. <br>
<br>
Perdue contended that while the remark was somewhat politicized, but that Republicans can empathize with what Perdue called ``the stakes'' of King's comment.
