| Sonia Sanchez--renowned poet, author and
activist--and Scott Ritter--former United Nations Weapons
inspector, outspoken author and Bush administration critic--will
help headline the rostrum of speakers at this year's Third Annual
Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice and Peace National Workshop and
Rally sponsored by Black Voices for Peace (BVFP), the
UDC Department of Criminal Justice and the University
of the District of Columbia (UDC).
The event's
activities will be held on the
National
Martin Luther King Birthday Holiday
Monday, January 19
from 9:30 am until 6:30 pm
at University of
the District of Columbia
Van Ness Street and Connecticut Ave.
NW in Washington, DC.
The two noted personalities will join BVFP co-chair and
founder Damu Smith, BVFP co-chair and Spirit of Truth
Center founder Rev. Dr. Carolyn Boyd, and Rev. Graylin
Hagler, a national BVFP spokesperson and senior pastor of
Plymouth Congregational Church in Washington, DC., who along
with other speakers will also address the hundreds of attendees
expected at the event.
Last year nearly 3000 persons were in attendance from the
District of Columbia and ten states.
The event will include workshops and a
national rally.
The Afternoon National Rally
Featuring
SONIA SANCHEZ & SCOTT RITTER
and including a Musical and Cultural
Tribute
featuring Youth and Elders
3:30 until 6:30 PM. in UDC's Main Auditorium
Introductory Session -- 9:30 until 10:15 am
Morning Workshop -- 10:30 am until 12:30 pm
Early Afternoon Workshop --1:15 until 3:15 pm.
Workshop leaders, trainers and speakers from around the
nation will be a part of this event.
There will also be VOTER REGISTRATION and an INFORMATION
MARKET PLACE featuring books and information on various issues.
LOW COST LUNCH AND DINNER WILL BE AVAILABLE.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND YOUTH AND CHILDREN
SHOULD ATTEND.
Among the performers paying tribute to Dr. King's legacy of
love, justice, peace and racial equality will be youth and elder
spoken word, gospel, spiritual, positive message and hip hop
artists. These include Image Band (formerly New Birth),
the McHenry Elementary School Step Team and Rainbow
Warriors Band and Show; from South Africa, Bokamosa;
and Shambhala.
The National Rally, Workshops and
Training's will focus on current issues
facing neighborhoods, the nation, and the global community
and how to apply King's organizing and philosophical legacy to
address them.
These include
the Bush administration's war in and
occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan
U.S. policy in support of Israel's
occupation of Palestine
the impact of U.S. foreign policy on peace
and stability in Africa
the Caribbean and Latin America
challenging
racism and defending against the assault
on civil liberties, civil rights and
affirmative action
organizing
for economic rights and essential human needs
in the face of massive cut backs
in social spending
and the steep rise in military expenditures
organizing for media accountability
empowering youth for leadership
and organizing in the face of violence and other challenges
organizing for positive messages
and images in popular culture
to advance love, unity, justice and peace
and organizing against police brutality and the prison
industrial complex
www.bvfp.org
Call the BVFP 24-Hour Hotline at
202-232-5690
for 90-second Prerecorded Updates
in Washington, DC Listen to WPFW 89.3 FM AND WOL 1450 AM
for Information about this event and other upcoming MLK
JR.
Observances throughout the Nation
WPFW is also Broadcast at WWW.WPFW.ORG
(click on to "Listen to Broadcast")
End the Nightmare; Bring Back the Dream!
In celebration of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. and his dedication to peace and justice, we invite you to
join a vigil against war and violence.
Participate in continuous readings of Dr. King's
speech, "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break the
Silence," in front of the Oakland, California Federal
Building from noon to sundown (5:14 p.m.) on Friday, January
16, 2004. Readers will include elected officials, community and
labor leaders, students and other interested folks.
Sponsored by the Peoples NonViolent Response Coalition (PNVRC),
this event is part of the nationwide United for Peace and Justice
actions around the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Friday, January 16, 2004 from
noon to 5:14 p.m.
Oakland Federal Building, 1301 Clay Street, near the 12th
Street BART Station.
A flier (in PDF), and more information, are available at: http://www.pnvrc.net/Events/MLK3.html
For more information call Jackie Cabasso: (510) 839-5877 |
