This year's 25th-anniversary celebration theme, "What Are You Doing For Others?" was a call to action by Dr. King.
History (Wikipedia): Martin Luther King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.
The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later on January 20, 1986.
ARIZONA "In 1986, Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt, a Democrat, created a paid state MLK holiday in Arizona by executive order just before he left office, but in 1987, his Republican successor Evan Mecham, citing an attorney general's opinion that Babbitt's order was illegal, reversed Babbitt's decision days after taking office.[19] Later that year, Mecham proclaimed the third Sunday in January to be "Martin Luther King Jr./Civil Rights Day" in Arizona, albeit as an unpaid holiday. This proposal was rejected by the state Senate the following year.[20] In 1990, Arizona voters were given the opportunity to vote on giving state employees a paid MLK holiday. ✓ That same year, the National Football League threatened to move Super Bowl XXVII, which was planned for Arizona in 1993, if the MLK holiday was voted down.[21] In the November election, the voters were offered two King Day options: Proposition 301, which replaced Columbus Day on the list of paid state holidays, and Proposition 302, which merged Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays into one paid holiday to make room for MLK Day. Both measures failed to pass, with only 49% of voters approving Prop 302, the more popular of the two options; although some who voted "no" on 302 voted "yes" on Prop 301.[22] Consequently, the state lost the chance to host Super Bowl XXVII, which was subsequently held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.[21] In a 1992 referendum, the voters, this time given only one option for a paid King Day, approved state-level recognition of the holiday.[23]
On King’s holiday, daughter calls for bold action over words
America has honored Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday for nearly four decades yet still hasn’t fully embraced and acted on the lessons from the slain civil rights leader, his youngest daughter said Monday.
The Rev. Bernice King, who leads The King Center in Atlanta, said leaders — especially politicians — too often cheapen her father’s legacy into a “comfortable and convenient King” offering easy platitudes.
“We love to quote King in and around the holiday. … But then we
refuse to live King 365 days of the year,” she declared at the
commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where her father once
preached...Her voice rising and falling in cadences similar to her father’s,
Bernice King bemoaned institutional and individual racism, economic and
health care inequities, police violence, a militarized international
order, hardline immigration structures and the climate crisis. She said
she’s “exhausted, exasperated and, frankly, disappointed” to hear her
father’s words about justice quoted so extensively alongside “so little
progress” addressing society’s gravest problems... READ MORE
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
"Mesa's annual MLK celebrations were created after residents, in 1996, voted to establish a citywide holiday recognizing the leadership of Dr. King. For more information on the MLK celebrations,...All of the MLK events are hosted and presented by the City of Mesa and the Mesa-East Valley MLK Committee and features the sponsorship of Visit Mesa and Amazon.
.jpg)
Mesa Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. With Honorary Street, Parade and Festival
"Mesa and its residents pay tribute to the leadership and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year's 25th-anniversary celebration theme, "What Are You Doing For Others?" was a call to action by Dr. King.
The day of remembrance on Martin Luther King (MLK) Day, Monday, Jan.16, will begin with the dedication of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street during a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at the Mesa Arts Center.
"The vision and legacy of Dr. King serves as an inspiration for Mesa, in our commitment to being a just, equitable and inclusive city," said Mesa Mayor John Giles. "As part of our 25th-anniversary event, the honorary street dedication celebrates his civil rights leadership and dedication in fighting for equality for all."
The honorary street signs will be placed along Center Street between Brown Road and First Avenue to honor Mesa's nearby historic Washington-Escobedo Heritage Neighborhood, which had its roots during segregation in the early 20th century. The signs will also celebrate Dr. King's accomplishments as a civil rights icon.
"The honorary street is a great way to honor Dr. King, the milestone anniversary of the city's annual holiday recognizing his leadership, the legacy of the Washington-Escobedo neighborhood and the perseverance and accomplishments of its residents," said Keisha McKinnor, President of the Mesa-East Valley MLK Committee.
"We are thrilled that the City of Mesa has dedicated a street in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It demonstrates our community shared value of inclusiveness to both residents and visitors alike.," said Visit Mesa President and CEO Marc Garcia.
The Mesa-East Valley MLK Parade is from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The new parade route will start at the Center Street and MLK Way intersection, travel south on Center Street to First Street, then travel east on First Street to Hibbert where it will end. The parade includes marching bands, faith-based and other local organizations, community leaders, elected officials, the Mesa Police Department and the Mesa Fire and Medical Department to make it a truly festive and inclusive community event.
The Mesa-East Valley MLK Festival is from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main Street. The community festival features food, vendors, entertainment and a Kids Unity Corner with activities and crafts. The festival will include a performance by a local band, The Cardinal Kids, premiering a new song "We Walk," commissioned by Visit Mesa that is a tribute to Dr. King. Kyle Collins, who raps on the song, is a graduate of Dobson High School. It will also include a feature performance by Jesse Campbell of The Voice.
Two of our downtown museums will offer-half price admission on MLK Day. The Arizona Museum of Natural History will open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the i.d.e.a. Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
X
No comments:
Post a Comment