New Bedford’s Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Remembrance

Mayor Jon Mitchell is pleased to join with the Greater New Bedford Area Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee in welcoming the public to attend the “Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Remembrance Celebration.” The celebration will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2012 at 3:00pm at the Pilgrim United Church, 635 Purchase Street, New Bedford.

“This is an important day for our city and I encourage everyone to attend the Celebration and take advantage of the opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s message of peace and unity,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell.

Dr. King was an integral part of the Civil Rights Movement which laid the foundation for the theory and practice of inclusion and diversity in American society and around the world. Though he was assassinated in 1968, Dr. King’s dream lives on, touching the hearts and minds of people throughout the world.

The theme for the 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Remembrance Celebration is “I Have A Dream…50 years later.” It was 50 years ago that Dr. King spoke those famous words. The 2013 program has been tailored to encourage reflection in those inspiring words and the progress the world has made toward becoming the world Dr. King envisioned.

The keynote speaker this year is Victoria Reggie Kennedy. The Kennedy family has played an important role in civil rights history in the sixties and beyond. With the loss of revered Senator Kennedy the planning committee thought Victoria Kennedy, given her broad experience in public service would be a perfect voice to add to this reflective mood, stated 2013 Chairwoman, Marci Pina-Christian.

Other program highlights will include musical selections from the Carlos Pacheco School chorus, the New Bedford Public Schools All City Jr. Show Choir and two special musical presentations from classical baritone and New Bedford native, Philip Lima, accompanied by William Merrill, one of New England’s most highly respected collaborative pianists. The duo will perform an excerpt of Dr. King’s I Have A Dream speech.

The Members of the New Bedford Area Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Planning Committee include representatives from: Baha’i Faith, United House of Prayer, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Pilgrim United Church, Grace Episcopal Church, The Interchurch Council, the New Bedford Branch of the NAACP, The Department of Community Services, & The Human Relations Commission

For additional information, please visit the City website at www.newbedford-ma.gov or contact Marci Pina-Christian at (508) 979-1464.