MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMUNITIES HONOR SLAIN CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER.Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer PACOIMA - Americans across the country will commemorate the birthday and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. today, but hundreds throughout Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, began their celebrations on Sunday. Among those in Los Angeles remembering the slain leader a day before the official holiday were members of the youth group at Pacoima United Methodist Church United Methodist Church, in the United States, religious body formed by the union in 1968 of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church (see Methodism). . The half-dozen girls - wearing black pants, white shirts and ties - took over the regular Sunday service to give their elders at the church a refresher course on the life and times of King, from his birth to his death on April 4, 1968. And they quizzed the audience of about 50 adults on what they'd just learned. ``They were great!'' exclaimed 15-year-old Lindsey Brown, president of the youth group. ``We wanted to inform them about Dr. Martin Luther King's work, about any famous black person's work, about any black person's work, period. They don't forget, they just need to be reminded.'' Youth director Cindy Lacy said the program at the service was a church tradition for many years but grew dormant in the mid-1990s when its young people grew into adulthood. The group was resurrected recently because the children in the congregation are now old enough to participate. Lacy said the legacy of King and others who fought for basic human rights for African-Americans throughout history is important to pass on to the next generation. ``They need to understand and honor their history,'' she said. ``They wouldn't be here today, where they are at this time, without Martin Luther King, Malcolm X Malcolm X, 1925–65, militant black leader in the United States, also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, b. Malcolm Little in Omaha, Neb. He was introduced to the Black Muslims while serving a prison term and became a Muslim minister upon his release in 1952. , Medgar Evers, Rosa Parks, back to Frederick Douglass.'' Holiday celebrations are expected to continue today with events throughout Los Angeles and the Greater San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . The National Cultural Foundation will hold its 16th annual Los Angeles Kingdom Day Parade at 11 a.m., beginning at the corner of 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.] and Martin Luther King Jr. boulevards. In the San Fernando Valley at 7 p.m. the Valley Interfaith Council plans its 13th annual celebration, ``Making His Dream a Reality in Our Valley,'' at the First United Methodist Church First United Methodist Church is a common name for the first United Methodist church established in a particular locality. Many First United Methodist Churches exist around the world. , 4832 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood. Glenn H. Stassen, a professor of Christian Ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary Through its three schools, Theology, Psychology, Intercultural Studies, and the Horner Center for Lifelong Learning, the seminary offers university-style education leading to 13 different degrees accredited by the Association of Theological Schools[1] and the Western in Pasadena, will be the featured speaker. 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. of Greater Los Angeles and the Martin Luther King Legacy Association will hold the 24th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration at 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel The Westin Bonaventure Hotel is the largest hotel in Los Angeles, California, USA. It is 367 feet (112 meters) tall and has 35 floors. It was completed in 1977. The top floor has a revolving restaurant and observation level. . Bishop Vashti McKenzie will be the keynote speaker. In Pasadena, Rep. Adam B. Schiff, D-Pasadena, will attend a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebration at 8:30 a.m. at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. The event will feature a video presentation of the ``Freedom March,'' followed by music, dance, art and essay presentations. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Marcy Murray, from left, J'rdin Bethea Walker and Susan Bonaparte sing at First United Methodist Church in Pacoima. (2) The First United Methodist Church celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. drew Kimberley Gilliam and her daughter Summer, 4. Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer |
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