Press Advisory: Missoula’s Annual MLK Jr. Day Community Celebration & Read for Peace

When:

Monday, January 15th, 2018

5:00 PM: Rally at Caras Park

5:40 PM: March across Higgins Street Bridge

6:00 PM: Community Celebration at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (202 Brooks St.)

8:00 PM: Community Dinner in lower level of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Contact: Jamar Galbreath 406-541-6891or jamar@empowermt.org

Pre-event & event press availability: MLK Day Committee Members are available to be interviewed the week prior to the event. Press is also welcome at all MLK Day events. Please contact Jamar Galbreath to arrange interviews.

Missoula, MT – On Monday January 15th 2018, hundreds of people from the Missoula area will gather together on this nation-wide day of commemoration to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Each year this moving event brings over 400 people to reflect on how Dr. King’s message informs issues we are facing right here in Missoula and across Montana. This year the Missoula MLK Day Committee consisting of : EmpowerMT, University of Montana’s Black Student Union, Emmaus Campus Ministry, the YWCA of Missoula,  Montana Campus Compact, the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center, and the Montana Human Rights Network have worked together along with community volunteers to put on this program of justice and peace. As part of this new collection of community partners Montana Campus Compact’s Read for Peace, on Friday January 12th, has been more intentionally integrated into Missoula’s MLK Day Celebration programming.

The theme of this year’s MLK Jr. Day Community Celebration is based on Dr. King’s quote, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” Events include:

Montana Campus Compact’s Read for Peace (all day Jan. 12th) Volunteers will read to nearly 1,800 elementary age students in 14 schools and 60 classrooms all over Missoula!

“Selma” Film Screening and Discussion at the Roxy Theatre (Jan. 15th 11:45) a screening of the 2014 film “Selma” with a facilitated discussion led by Ja’Ton Simpson.

Youth Led Community Rally at Caras Park (5pm) featuring performances and youth leaders discussing the impact of violence against people of color. Speakers are Meshayla Cox and Sydnie Racine, and Nereyda Calero.

March for Justice across the Higgins St. Bridge (5:40pm)

Community Celebration at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (6pm) featuring a keynote address from Mayor Wilmot Collins of Helena, and the presentation of awards for winners of the MLK youth art & essay contest, and performances by local musicians and artists: Andre Floyd, the Lewis and Clark Peace Choir, and SpecialFX.

Community Dinner & Social in the lower level of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (8:00pm) catered meal (suggested donation $5/person, $10/family) that provides community members the opportunity for connection and conversation.

Downloadable Version (PDF)

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