Too often, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a day off rather than a day on. Our coalition partners at the NAACP Portland Branch are taking the concept of a day of action one step further, transforming January into a month of action. I hope you can take part in one of these exciting events to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King who led the country forward on civil rights and human rights. The ACLU of MAINE will be present at the NAACP's 30th Annual Dinner on Sunday, January 16. Come!
NAACP PORTLAND BRANCH
2011 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. OBSERVANCE
From Civil Rights to Human Rights:
Martin Luther King Jr. and the Demand for Economic Justice
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS*
JANUARY 3 - 13
MLK Project Bio/Pics
Kennedy Park, Riverton and Sagamore Village
Portland Housing Authority will lead a writing-photo project aimed at improving writing skills and encouraging artistic expression. The project was inspired by the youth who go the PHS Study Center's and their desire to voice concerns about and for their community. Study Center Coordinators will conduct a series of four workshops at each site using the life and legacy of Dr. King as the foundation for the writing and related photographs. One student from each of the communities will share their finished work at the MLK Dinner on January 16 at the Holiday Inn By the Bay. On January 17, the MLK Holiday, each Center will host an Open House where students will share their stories and reflect on Dr. King's legacy with the public. For more information, contact Emily Fitch or Kathy Yang at (207) 773-4753.
JANUARY 4 - 31
Exhibit: Profiles in Courage: Americans Who Tell the Truth
Portrait Unveiling: Friday, January 7, 12:00 p.m.
Portland Public Library
Renowned artist Robert Shetterly will unveil the latest portrait in his series Americans Who Tell the Truth of local civil rights activist, author, former state legislator and three-term NAACP Portland Branch president Gerald E. Talbot. This portrait will join 21 others from the series for a month-long exhibit at the library. A noon-time presentation for the unveiling will take place on the opening day, Friday, January 7. Under the direction of Rob Shetterly, three students from King Middle School will attend and share a book and artwork they created on Mr. Talbot's life. For more information, contact the NAACP at (207) 253-5074.
JANUARY 10 - 13
The MLK Role Model Project
Reiche School, East End School
Incorporating the different mediums of art/drawing, music/spoken-word performance and athletics/creative physical movement, college students from USM, SMCC and UNE along with NAACP volunteers will work with after-school students from East End School and Reiche School to explore MLK as a social justice leader and role model. Middle school students will be asked to think about the qualities of a role model, who are the role models in their lives, and how can they use the legacy of Dr. King to help others. They will also be asked to think about the courage and risk involved in fighting for seemingly unpopular issues. The NAACP will lead a session at East End School on Tuesday, January 11 and focus on leadership needed to address issues of poverty. An exhibit of the completed work will be on display at the MLK Dinner. For more information, contact Amanda Drapcho at (207) 780-4209.
JANUARY 14 - 17
MLK Community Conversations: Opening the Doors to the Beloved Community
Various Houses of Worship
Clergy representing diverse traditions in the greater Portland area will "open their doors" during their services to the public and preach about MLK's Beloved Community and our collective responsibility to work on economic justice. The message will carry over to the King Holiday on Monday, January 17 for an open community conversation at Preble Street Resource Center beginning at 1:00 p.m. Immediately following the conversation, a march to the steps of city hall is planned.
January 16 - Sunday
30th Anniversary MLK Holiday Celebration
From Civil Rights to Human Rights: MLK and the Demand for Economic Justice
5:00 p.m., Reception
6:00 p.m., Dinner
Holiday Inn by the Bay
In order to acknowledge our historic milestone of thirty years, the traditional breakfast program will take place as a dinner on the night before the King Holiday allowing for the holiday to be utilized for a community conversation on poverty, a March for Justice, and family activities aimed at developing healthy minds, bodies and souls. The dinner includes a keynote address, recognition of exceptional community leadership, and an interactive dinner exercise to glean specific ways in which we can take action in the fight against poverty. Two high school senior students will serve as MC's of the program in order to encourage youth participation and leadership in the human rights movement. For more information including ticket prices, visit www.portlandmlk.net or call (207) 253-5074.
January 17 - MLK Holiday
MLK March for Justice
Preble Street Resource Center to Portland City Hall
Following the community conversation from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m., marchers will walk from Preble Street Resource Center to the steps of city hall to give voice to our commitment and solidarity in addressing poverty in our community. A large copy of MLK's Bill of Economic Rights and proposed Community Compact for Justice will be displayed. Key business leaders, antipoverty leaders, tribal representatives and human rights advocates will briefly speak.
MLK Family Programs
The Children's Museum will offer a variety of activities and programs dedicated to teaching about Martin Luther King, Jr. throughout the day.
Bayside Bowling will offer families the opportunity to enjoy healthy time together while having lots of fun and getting in some exercise!
Please note that we are still organizing these programs and cannot yet confirm if a cost will be associated with participation. Please check back after the New Year.
*Please contact the NAACP at (207) 253-5074 for more information unless otherwise noted.