CITY BEGINS ITS SERIES OF MLK EVENTS CIVIL-RIGHTS LEADERS HONORED.Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. city officials kicked off commemorations Friday marking the civil-rights movement, honoring the legacies of Rosa Parks and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The City Hall ceremony - attended by civil-rights leaders and members of the Parks family - came in advance of Monday's holiday honoring King's birth. Dozens of events are planned across the city, including Monday's King Day Parade in the Crenshaw cren·shaw also cran·shaw n. A variety of winter melon (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) having a greenish-yellow rind and sweet, usually salmon-pink flesh. [Origin unknown.] District and a monthlong celebration in February of African-American heritage. ``I have said that if it were not for (former Mayor) Tom Bradley, Martin Luther King and the civil-rights movement, I would not be standing here today,'' Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said. ``A good number of us sitting here - women and people of color Noun 1. people of color - a race with skin pigmentation different from the white race (especially Blacks) people of colour, colour, color race - people who are believed to belong to the same genetic stock; "some biologists doubt that there are important - every one of us were blessed by the sacrifices and courage and the indomitable in·dom·i·ta·ble adj. Incapable of being overcome, subdued, or vanquished; unconquerable. [Late Latin indomit spirit of Rosa Parks and the courage of Martin Luther King.'' Members of the Parks family traveled from Detroit to take part in the event, during which Villaraigosa declared it Rosa Parks Day in the city. Parks died last year at age 92, and Villaraigosa was among the dignitaries who spoke at her funeral. Councilman Bernard Parks said Rosa Parks became the symbol of the civil- rights movement in 1955, when she refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Ala. - an act of civil defiance that resulted in abolition of the racial segregation laws. He said he was most impressed with Parks' humility. ``She never understood what all the fuss was about with her,'' the councilman said. ``As much as she had achieved and all the accolades she had received, she was mystified mys·ti·fy tr.v. mys·ti·fied, mys·ti·fy·ing, mys·ti·fies 1. To confuse or puzzle mentally. See Synonyms at puzzle. 2. To make obscure or mysterious. why people thought she was so great. She never understood all the fanfare.'' Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com Martin Luther King Jr. Day events -- The city of Inglewood will host its 23rd annual ``Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration'' and tribute to Rosa Parks, 9 a.m. today, at Faithful Central Bible Church Faithful Central Bible Church is a "megachurch" with a congregation that is largely African-American. It is based in Inglewood, California, and Bishop Kenneth Ulmer is the pastor. , 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Inglewood. At 11:30 a.m., participants will march south along Eucalyptus to Hollywood Park Racetrack Hollywood Park is a thoroughbred racecourse and poker cardroom located in Inglewood, California, USA, about 3 miles (5 km) from Los Angeles International Airport and next door to The Forum. History The track was opened in 1938 by the Hollywood Turf Club. . --The Los Angeles chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), civil-rights organization founded in 1957 by Martin Luther King, Jr., and headed by him until his assassination in 1968. , Martin Luther King Legacy Association of Los Angeles, African Diaspora Foundation and the UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX Labor Center will host a daylong youth civil-rights teach-in, titled ``Overcoming Violence on L.A. Campuses and in our Community,'' 9 a.m. today at First A.M.E. Zion Church, 1449 W. Adams Blvd. Call (323) 290-4100. --The Museum of Tolerance The Museum of Tolerance is a multimedia museum in Los Angeles, California, with an associated museum in New York City, designed to examine racism and prejudice in the United States and the world with a strong focus on the history of the Holocaust. , 9786 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, will host several events: The influence of Martin Luther King Jr. on the lives of sports figures, jazz musicians and educators, 2 p.m. Sunday. For reservations, call (310) 772-2526. ``Citizen King,'' a 2004 documentary on King's life, 2 p.m. Monday. For reservations, call (310) 772-2527. An exhibit by Los Angeles Ribet Academy depicting King's contributions will be on display through Friday. For more information, see www.museumoftolerance.com. --Yolanda King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., will be the keynote speaker at a ceremony honoring her father's legacy, 9 a.m. Monday at the Soka Gakai International auditorium, 525 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. --The King Day Parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. Monday along Martin Luther King Boulevard, from Crenshaw Boulevard to Western Avenue. The two-mile parade, hosted by the Council on Racial Equality, will include numerous floats, marching bands, drill teams and local dignitaries. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will serve as grand marshal. CAPTION(S): box Box: Martin Luther King Jr. Day events (see text) |
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