Martin Luther King III Issues King Holiday Message, Announces Family's Plans for Commemoration
ATLANTA, Jan. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation prepares to observe the 90th birthday anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his son, Martin Luther King III shares his message for the MLK holiday and announces plans for his family's participation in several events:
"My wife, Arndrea Waters King, our daughter Yolanda Renee King and I stand in solidarity with millions of followers of my father, Martin Luther King, Jr., in observing the 33rd King holiday and empowering the nonviolent movement to fulfill his great dream for humanity.
"While many people and organizations commemorate the King holiday as a day of celebration, we encourage holiday observance programs to address critical challenges that must be met to fulfill his dream. In that spirit, we call on everyone who believes in my father's legacy to embrace his philosophy and methods of nonviolence and to work for social and economic reforms that can advance justice, equality and peace.
"We urge everyone who would honor Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and work to get involved in movements to eradicate poverty, racism and violence. We call on people of good will to resist the unjust shutdown of the U.S. government, the mass incarceration of refugee children and the assault on the Affordable Care Act. We ask concerned Americans of all races to speak out against bigotry in all its forms and to support a living wage for all working people. And we appeal to all concerned Americans to strive for gun safety measures that can prevent mass murder as well as daily violence and protect America's children.
"These and other reforms, including a just immigration policy, decent housing for America's homeless, affordable college education opportunities for all, restoration of the voting rights act and automatic voter registration are urgently needed to help create the Beloved Community of my father's dream. With this commitment, the 2019 MLK holiday can truly serve the great causes that defined his life and work."
Mr. King announced that, on Sunday, January 20th at 11:15 am, his family will participate in Holy Eucharist at Washington National Cathedral where Mr. King will deliver special remarks to the gathering. His father delivered a sermon at the Cathedral just weeks before he was assassinated in 1968.
On Monday, January 21st, the MLK holiday, the King family will participate in the National Action Network Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast at 8: 00 A.M., and Mr. King will deliver remarks at the event. The King family also plans to lay a wreath at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall at 10 A.M. The family will also participate in a community service project on the holiday to honor it as a day of service.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Gold at 773-425-4115
SOURCE Martin Luther King III
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