NOW IT'S OUR DREAM SOUTHLAND PAUSES TO HONOR KING.Byline: Ben Jauron Staff Writer People throughout Southern California will commemorate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. today at special events honoring the fallen civil rights leader. Since it was first celebrated in the United States in 1986, the national holiday is one that many consider to be a day of community action on behalf of human rights. ``If Dr. King were alive today, I'm sure he'd celebrate the gains we've made - in education, children's health Children's Health Definition Children's health encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of children from infancy through adolescence. care, civil rights and economic opportunity,'' said Gov. Gray Davis. ``But at the same time, he'd remind us that there's still hard work left undone. We must continue to unite as a people against the forces of hatred, fear, ignorance and terror.'' At 11 a.m. today, Davis will appear in the annual Kingdom Day Parade beginning at 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 boulevards in Los Angeles. The event represents one of the largest gatherings in Southern California to honor King. It features marching bands, mounted units, drill teams, celebrities and a number of political leaders. The governor will also attend a 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 Jr. Awards dinner at 6 p.m. in the ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Davis is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m. King was born on Jan. 15, 1929 in Atlanta. After dedicating his life to a nonviolent struggle for civil rights, he was assassinated as·sas·si·nate tr.v. as·sas·si·nat·ed, as·sas·si·nat·ing, as·sas·si·nates 1. To murder (a prominent person) by surprise attack, as for political reasons. 2. on April 4, 1968 as he stood on a motel balcony in Memphis, Tenn. Among the Southland events scheduled for today is the annual NAACP NAACP in full National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Oldest and largest U.S. civil rights organization. It was founded in 1909 to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality for African Americans; W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. Day of Dignity at 8:30 a.m. at the Northeast Valley Multipurpose Senior Center in Pacoima. Part of the day's festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. will be a screening of the movie ``Keep the Faith, Baby.'' ``The Day of Dignity is a commemoration and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by highlighting not only Dr. King but many other Americans who have fought and are fighting in the struggle for civil and human rights,'' said the Rev. Zedar Broadous, president of the 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. branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), organization composed mainly of American blacks, but with many white members, whose goal is the end of racial discrimination and segregation. . ``Putting the Dream Into Action'' will be presented at 6:30 p.m. today at the Student Union of California State University, Northridge CSUN offers a variety of programs leading to bachelor's degrees in 61 fields and master's degrees in 42 fields. The university has over 150,000 alumni. It's also home to a summer musical theater/theater program known as TADW (TeenAge Drama Workshop) that leads teenagers through an . The program is sponsored by the San Fernando Interfaith Council and will include music and other performances. Most government offices, including post offices and schools, as well as banks, will be closed today for the holiday. TODAY'S EVENTS The birth and life of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. will be celebrated today with a variety of observances. Here are some local events: --The San Fernando Valley Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will hold its annual NAACP Day of Dignity from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. today at the Northeast Valley Multipurpose Senior Center, 11300 Glenoaks Blvd., Pacoima. --``Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Soul and Spirit of the Man'' is the theme of a multiethnic and interfaith program at 9 a.m. today in 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. , 1008 11th St., Santa Monica. Sylvia Rousseau, superintendent of District 1 for the Los Angeles Unified School District The Los Angeles Unified School District (the "LAUSD") is the largest (in terms of number of students) public school system in California and the second-largest in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population. , will be keynote speaker. The event includes music, inspirational readings and scholarship presentations. A community involvement fair will follow the event. Call (310) 434-4308. --The annual Kingdom Day Parade with marching bands, equestrian units, drill teams, celebrities and government officials will be held at 11 a.m. today, beginning at Martin Luther King Jr. and Crenshaw boulevards. Entertainer Debbie Allen will be grand marshal. Call (310) 537-4240. --``Putting the Dream Into Action'' is the theme of the 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Service to be held at 6:30 tonight in the Student Union of California State University, Northridge, at 18111 Nordhoff St. The event, sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, will include music by the interfaith choir and a performance by actor Roger Aaron Brown of ``The District.'' Stedman Graham will be keynote speaker. Call (818) 718-6460, Ext. 3002. --``Character Counts'' is the theme of the 10th annual King Day event at 7 tonight in the Church of Jesus Christ Church of Jesus Christ may refer to:
CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1) A portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. looks up from the program during the city of Lancaster's 14th annual Commemorative Celebration on Sunday at the city's performing arts center A performing arts center, often abbreviated PAC, is a multi-use performance space that can be adapted for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre. . (2) Linda Bowling performs a song during Lancaster's Commemorative Celebration on Sunday. Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer Box: TODAY'S EVENTS (see text) |
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