Martin Luther King Day Celebrations in California
Pictured is Martin Luther King, Jr. standing left of Robert Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson on June 22, 1963.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement, assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 39. He is best known for the advancement of civil rights in the United States using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. He was a recognized clergyman, activist, and spokesperson for equality. The following is from a sermon by Martin Luther King that was delivered at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., on 31 March 1968. It is even more relevant today:
“There can be no gainsaying of the fact that a great revolution is taking place in the world today. In a sense it is a triple revolution: that is, a technological revolution, with the impact of automation and cybernation; then there is a revolution in weaponry, with the emergence of atomic and nuclear weapons of warfare; then there is a human rights revolution, with the freedom explosion that is taking place all over the world. Yes, we do live in a period where changes are taking place. And there is still the voice crying through the vista of time saying, ‘Behold, I make all things new; former things are passed away.’ ”
Martin Luther King Day is a national holiday celebrated throughout California with special events:
- San Diego on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 at 2 p.m. (alpha-zsl.org/mlkdayparade.html)
- Los Angeles – Martin Luther King Day Parade Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, 11 a.m. Martin Luther King Blvd and Western Ave, Los Angeles. This year, the parade begins at Martin Luther King Blvd. and Western Ave., traveling west on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd to Crenshaw Blvd., south on Crenshaw Blvd. to Vernon Ave. with a festival at Leimert Park.
- Santa Monica – 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday Weekend of Celebrations at the SGI-USA World Culture Center Auditorium in Santa Monica.
OAKLAND MLK events 2012:
- January 16, 2012 A Day of Service in our 100 Blocks. Join Mayor Jean Quan and others for a Day of Service in the 100 Blocks of Oakland where we have the highest levels of violence. If you would like to participate or organize a project, contact Reygan Harmon at (510) 238-6291.
- Urban Releaf, 10am-1pm, 31st and Market St., Tree planting. Allen Temple Baptist Church and 2012 Community Revitalization and International Blvd’s Beautification (CRIBB), 9am-Noon, 8709 International Blvd.
- Filbert Street Cleanup, 10am-Noon, Filbert St. between 8th and 10th sts., Litter and weed abatement, Info: Marcus Montague at mmontague@epmi-co.com or (510) 205-1667
- January 16, 8:30am-Noon 4th Annual Day of Service. Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline, Peppermint Gate staging area, Oakport St. between East Creek and Damon Slough. The East Bay Regional Park District continues Dr. King’s vision to improve lives, bridge social barriers and move our nation closer together through this service event. Volunteers will assist in restoration work and invasive plant removal. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes and closed-toed shoes. Please also bring your own water bottle. Heavy rain cancels. Advance registration is encouraged. Free Admission. ebparks.org
- January 16, 10am-2pm Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Rally. ILWU Warehouse Hall #6, 99 Hegenberger Rd. Keep the Dream alive through peace, justice and non-violence. The celebration’s guest speaker will be news anchor and author Belva Davis. Free Admission (510) 798-5535
- January 16, 10am-Noon. 14th Annual Make The Dream Real. McClymonds High School, 2607 Myrtle St. This event is designed to inspire and bring people together around the common focus of service to others by encouraging more Americans to celebrate the federal holiday as a day on for service and not a day off. A focal point is making a quality education a reality for every child. Laney College President Dr. Elnora Webb will deliver the keynote address while Aimee Allison will serve as emcee. An exciting lineup of youth performers and an award presentation to three deserving community members rounds out this event. Luncheon follows. Free Admission. ahc-oakland.org
- January 16, 11am-7pm. Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Film Festival. African American Museum & Library at Oakland, 659 14th St. The festival presents a selection of critically acclaimed documentaries which provide a historical perspective on the nation-defining movement for African American civil rights during the 1950s and 1960s. Free Admission, oaklandlibrary.org
- January 16, 1-3pm. 14th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Taylor Memorial Methodist Church, 1188 12th St. Join Mayor Quan for this annual celebration with the theme of Celebrating King’s Legacy: Past, Present, Future. Entertainment will include internationally acclaimed Linda Tillery and the Heritage Choir plus other local, multicultural musicians and dancers. As part of this celebration of Dr. King’s legacy, senior center members will share their experiences before and after Dr. King, local high school and college students will share the relevance of Dr. King’s Dream to their lives and Kindergarten through 8th grade students will focus on the future sharing their hopes and dreams. Free Admission. taylorchurch.org
- January 18, Noon-1:15pm A Monumental Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Kaiser Center Auditorium, 300 Lakeside Dr. The public is invited to celebrate with BART employees in paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Honorable Willie Brown is the invited keynote speaker. Free Admission. (510) 464-6176
