In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the local MLK Celebration Committee is hosting a commemorative event honoring the life and legacy of the civil rights leader on Monday, Jan. 15, at the DeWees Center in Lompoc.
Themed “Voices of Today, Heroes of Yesterday, Dreams of Tomorrow,” the event will begin with a “Peace and Unity in the Community” march at 9:15 a.m. Attendees are invited to meet at the steps of Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 201 S. H Street.
“We plan to march and come together as a community in MLK’s honor,” said Pastor Ron Wiley of Grace Temple Church. “It’s OK to celebrate progress, but also understand that we have not reached the finish line.”
Following the march, at approximately 11 a.m., a celebratory program will take place at the Dick DeWees Center, located at 1120 W. Ocean Ave.
“Our committee’s goal is to share the message of Martin Luther King Jr. now and into the future,” said Wiley. “We come together in hopes that our community can celebrate his impact on the world at our annual event.”
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The celebration will feature keynote speakers Keisha Edwards and Benjamin Thomas, and City officials and community groups in attendance will include officials with the City of Lompoc Police Department and YMCA.
Dr. King, in the mid-1950s, led a movement to end racial segregation in the United States. He advocated for nonviolent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, signed into federal law on Nov. 2, 1983, was first officially observed on the third Monday of January 1986, marking the birthday of Dr. King.
Both events are free and open to the public.
For more information, or to sponsor or donate to the event, contact Pastor Ron Wiley at [email protected] or call 805-698-6010.