March of remembrance

Celebrations of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy planned

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Celebrations of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are scheduled throughout the area next Monday, Jan. 20.
Dr. King, a revered Civil Rights icon, was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in Dr. 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. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.
Most federal and local governmental offices will be closed in remembrance of Dr. King and his efforts to change the attitudes about race in the country. Marches, celebrations and special events are planned throughout the area to honor his memory.

In CANTON TOWNSHIP, the life and legacy of Dr. King, Jr. will be celebrated with a civil rights inspired concert by award-winning hip hop artist Shaun Boothe.
Boothe is an award-winning hip-hop recording artist, TEDx speaker and creator of 'The Unauthorized Biography Series'.   After spending more than a decade in the music industry, Boothe's path has shifted to now focus on educating the next generation as an inspirational speaker and performing artist.
Boothe combines his passion for speaking with the Unauthorized Biography Series as a tool to both entertain and inspire others to achieve their own greatness.  “The power of hip hop is in the stories we choose to tell,” stated Boothe.  “Our stories can either build us up or break us down.”
The concert will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20.
This engagement and additional youth community hip hop workshops for Canton Youth Connection (CYC) and Building Leaders Out of Canton's Kids (B.L.O.C.K.) are supported by a grant from the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Crane Group.  This annual event is presented by the Canton Commission for Culture, Arts and Heritage, members of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sub-Committee, and Canton Township.
Tickets for this event are $15 each and can be purchased online at www.cantonvillagetheater.org  or by calling or in person at the Village Theater Box Office from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at (734) 394-5300. Any remaining tickets will also be available for purchase at the box office one hour prior to show time.
The Village Theater at Cherry Hill is located at 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton

THE CITY OF ROMULUS, Romulus Community Schools and the Romulus Ministerial Alliance will host a celebration of the life of Dr. King, Jr. with the traditional march from Romulus Middle School to the high school where breakfast will be served and the celebratory program take place. The community march and program are an annual tradition in the city.
Shuttle service is provided from Romulus High School to the middle school for those doing the walk beginning at 7 a.m. Walkers should be at the Middle School by 7:30 a.m. The march will step off promptly at 8 a.m.
Non-walkers, are welcome to attend a pancake breakfast at the high school which will also begin at 8 a.m.  Walkers will arrive at the breakfast following the march. The continental breakfast is sponsored by the Romulus Rotary Club.
The celebration program will begin at 9:30 a.m.
For more information, contact: Rev. Arthur Willis, committee chairman at (313) 701-2423, Romulus Community Schools Central Office at (734) 532-1610, or Ellen Craig-Bragg at (734) 955-4545
The official schedule of events is: 7:30 a.m., walkers meet at Romulus Middle School; 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. shuttle service for walk participants from Romulus High School to Romulus Middle School; 8 a.m. Community March begins to Romulus High School, 8- 9:30 a.m. Pancake Breakfast at Romulus High School cafeteria and 9:30 a.m. Celebration Program begins.

In THE CITY OF WESTLAND the Annual MLK Jr. Celebration will take place Monday at Westland City Hall. Doors open at 8 a.m. and a shuttle bus will be provided from City Hall to the Westland Public Library where the Freedom Walk, designed to signify unity,   is set to begin at 9 a.m.  The walk will take place down Central City Parkway and end back at Westland City Hall, weather permitting. The Freedom Walk will honor those who marched with Dr. King more than 50 years ago in his fight for Civil Rights.
The official ceremony and speakers honoring Dr. King's life will begin at 10 a.m. at City Hall including messages from Westland Mayor William R. Wild and other state and local elected officials.
Those participants who parked at the library can be shuttled back to their vehicles following the program.
Participants are urged to check facebook, twitter, WLND and www.cityofwestand.com, as any cancellation of the Freedom Walk due to weather will be announced at 8 a.m. Monday.