2014 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE EVENTS

WHAT:   The City of Portland is pleased to join the NAACP Portland Branch, Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, Homeless Voices for Justice/Preble Street, The Opportunity Alliance, Portland Public Schools, University of New England and several community-based organizations in celebrating the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday with several events.  All events take place in the city of Portland.

WHEN:   January 17, 2014
Annual Music & Gospel Concert, Merrill Auditorium, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Us Around
Tickets available at www.porttix.com
Martin Luther King Jr. accepted the Nobel Peace Prize fifty years ago on behalf of the nonviolent movement he led for racial and economic equality in the United States. In his Nobel Lecture, he refers to the freedom song, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Us Around," a song used by activists to give them the strength and solidarity to stand up for justice.  The talented choirs of Portland Public Schools will pay tribute to Dr. King and the 50th anniversary of his distinguished award before the Kenya Hall Band awes the audience with their passionate, versatile and soulful sound.  A selection of gospel and traditional freedom songs will inspire the audience and lift community spirit.

January 18, 2014
Annual Community Dialogue, University of New England, Ludcke Auditorium
The Silence of Inequity: Hunger, Health and Education
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
Racial and socio-economic health disparities that are attributable to hunger and issues of food security along with understanding the educational achievement gaps will be explored through speakers and facilitated breakout sessions. Attendees will learn about the impact of the disparities at the local level and get connected to current opportunities and resources in which to take action to eliminate them. This program will be led by high school and college students and provides a rare opportunity for intergenerational community engagement.

January 20, 2014
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast Celebration
A Call to Conscience: Civil Rights and The Quest for Peace and Justice
8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Tickets available at www.naacp.me
Keynote speaker William S. Cohen, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and U.S. Senator who represented Maine in Congress for 24 years, will examine the current realities in the quest for peace, justice and equal rights for all as we recognize the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, the landmark legislation that ended racial segregation in the United States. A separate program for children ages 1 - 12 will take place at the Children's Museum and Theater of Maine in Portland.