New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The City of New Bedford and Mayor Jon Mitchell are 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 19, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church, 133 School Street in New Bedford.
“The city’s annual day of remembrance celebration to honor the legacy of Dr. King is a time for all of us to reflect on his message of peace, understanding and empathy, which unites all Americans,” said Mayor 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 fifty-two years ago, in 1968, Dr. King’s dream lives on, touching the hearts and minds of people throughout the world.
The theme for New Bedford’s 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Remembrance Celebration is “Only Light Can Drive out Darkness.” This theme is derived from a longer text of a message from Dr. King in his book, Strength to Love. The greater message that hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that – referring to people and how they relate to one another.
The keynote speaker this year is Tahirah Amatul-Wadud. Ms. Amatul-Wadud runs a successful law practice in western Massachusetts with a focus on domestic relations and civil rights. In 2016, she was named Top Woman of Law in 2006 by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. She is active in the Massachusetts Commission for the Status of Women and a mother of seven children.
Other program highlights include the SouthCoast Children’s Chorus (this will be their first appearance in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day program); musical selections by the Deliverance Gospel Choir; and the announcement of the 2020 Essay Contest Winners, which has been a special feature in the program over the past 13 years.
All are encouraged to attend the program. For more information, contact Marci Pina-Christian or the Department of Community Services at (508) 979-1464.
