The 18th annual Davis Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration will take place on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 11:30am (an earlier start time than in past years) in the Varsity Theatre, 616 Second Street. The event is free, and community members are encouraged to attend. The program will feature presentations and music to help commemorate the life and accomplishments of Dr. King for civil rights, peace and nonviolence.
The City and the Davis Vanguard are pleased to co-sponsor Ms. Lecia Brooks, the Director of Outreach at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama, as the Keynote Speaker. The Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry, and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. Ms. Brooks leads the Center’s outreach efforts on key initiatives and social justice issues. As outreach director, she frequently gives presentations around the country to promote tolerance and diversity. She also serves as director of the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery. Ms. Brooks will be sharing her expertise about current racial issues across the country.
To balance out Ms. Brook’s national perspective, the event will showcase a panel of prominent community members sharing their thoughts about race and racial issues in Davis.
Attendees will be also treated to several musical and artistic elements, including the Patwin Elementary Choir, a special dance performance, and well-known local musician Dick Holdstock and the Davis Freedom Singers.
After positive reviews from last year, students from Davis High School’s Race & Social Justice class will share with community members some of their research on local racial issues. Ali Holder, Linnea Lagerstrom, Nick Howell and Ryan Gross will present “Student Rights at Davis High School.”
Following the conclusion of the program at approximately 1:00 p.m., citizens will be invited to participate in a short Freedom March through downtown Davis.
The Hallmark Inn will sponsor a Meet and Greet for community members to talk with Ms. Brooks after the Freedom March, starting at approximately 1:30 at the Hallmark Inn.
