TUCSON OBSERVES MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY HOLIDAY WITH
FREEDOM BELL RINGING AND 30TH ANNUAL MARCH AND FESTIVAL
The Martin Luther King (MLK) Day Festival Committee is planning two events for this year’s holiday celebration.
The first event will be held at El Presidio Park at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17. The Freedom Bell Ringing Ceremony will be held in remembrance of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Local and state leaders have been invited to participate in the support of non-violence and in the acknowledgement of the dignity of all mankind. Paying tribute to non-violent solutions is critically important at this time when emotions are running high over the recent deaths of African American citizens at the hands of law enforcement officers, and the deaths of law enforcement officers in retaliation of these deaths.
The MLK Day Festival Committee is in agreement with cry that Black Lives Matter and expands this notion to encompass the concept that All Lives Matter. Any death through violence is a tragedy.
The Freedom Bell Ringing Ceremony will be officiated by Pastor La Tresa Jester of Gideon Baptist Church. This event will feature the ringing of the freedom bell by dignitaries who will then be asked to share their own feelings about freedom and nonviolence. Mayor Jonathon Rothschild and the Reverend Otis Brown, president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) will be two of the bell ringers. (IMA is an organization of predominantly African American churches in the Tucson area.)
This weekend’s second event is the 30th Annual Martin Luther King Day March and Festival. This year’s venue has changed. Marchers will gather at Santa Rita Park at 8:00 AM on Monday, January 19. Prior to marching, participants will hear from elected officials and other community leaders. Once the remarks conclude, participants will march to Armory Park for the festival which will feature speakers, music, dancers, food booths and informational booths.
According to event Chairperson Clarence Boykins, “The MLK Festival is a celebration of the progress that has been made and a call to action for continued progress in the area of civil rights. Many people in this community have spent numerous hours over the last 30 years planning these festivals and working for civil rights. Although Dr. King’s dream has not yet fully been realized, there is a strong commitment in our community to see his dream become a reality.”
The entire community is invited to these events.
Date: January 15. 2015 CONTACT: Clarence Boykins
Chairperson, MLK Festival Committee
(520) 401-3959
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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