Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK @ lectern

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we remember and celebrate the life and vision of Martin Luther King, Jr., this month, we'll  revisit King's landmark speech, Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence.

In light of our nation's current policies, economic injustices, and commitments to the path of military violence around the world, King's prophetic words still provide a compelling call to action.

This 60-minute film contains archival footage, as well as interviews hosted by Tavis Smiley. A discussion will follow.

The 31st annual Martin Luther King Day Community Celebration will once again take place at St. George Greek Orthodox Community Center, 650 Hanover Street in Manchester NH.  Richard Haynes will be the guest speaker.  This year's MLK Award will go to the NH Sisters of Mercy, and the Vanesaa  Washington Johnson Bloemen Award will be presented to Selina Taylor.  The 3 pm program is preceded by a potluck meal and social hour from 2 to 3 pm.  Everyone is welcome.  Donations accepted. 

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) of Western Massachusetts is having it’s 28th annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday on Monday, January 16, 2012! Our theme is Non-violent Youth Organizing, to tie together events from MLK’s life to present day actions like the Occupy movement.

This year’s event will begin at 9:00am at the Sojourner Truth statue (intersection of Pine and Park Streets) in Florence with Steve Strimer who will lead a walk of the homes of Sojourner Truth, Basil Dorsey, and David Ruggles.

In 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. answered a call to go to Memphis to support African American sanitation workers who were on strike for recognition of their union.  Dr. King saw an opportunity to link this struggle to his growing, nationwide Poor People's Campaign and challenge the economic power structure of the south through a nonviolent campaign.  "At The River I Stand," a film about the struggle where Dr.

MLK

Dr. King was assassinated on April 4th, 1968 while supporting striking sanitation workers.  Exactly one year before that he given the Riverside Church speech, in which he not only spoke out against the war in Vietnam but linked the problems of racisim, militarism and economic injustice.

If you are afraid for the future of Workers Rights, Social Programs, Public Education, Medicare, Social Security, the Environment, Women’s Rights, Public Transportation, Public TV and Radio, Unions, Public Housing, Immigrant Rights, Aid to the Arts and more…

Then come, join us and make your voice heard!

We Call for:

Martin Luther King Jr. - Reflections of a Dream

On April 4, 1968 at 6:01 pm Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Two months previously, he eulogized himself, saying he did not want to be remembered for the honors he received, by rather for trying to "feed the hungry," "clothe the naked," "be right on the [Vietnam] war question," and "love and serve humanity."  Forty-three years later, we are asking how King is remembered, how we honor his life, and where we have taken “the Dream.”