Description
Join the City of Cambridge as we celebrate and remember the life and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM: Celebration of Dr. King’s Life and Work for Peace, Justice, and Transformation.
• 12:45 to 1:45 PM: Informal lunch and community gathering in the undercroft (basement) at St. Peter’s.
The City of Cambridge will honor and remember Dr. King and his legacy, as we gather at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church to hear members of the Cambridge community share readings of Dr. King’s words calling for peace, justice and transformation, as well as musical performances -- including Christina DeVaughn.
The program will feature remarks by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley is an advocate, a policy-maker, an activist, and a survivor. In 2009, she launched a historic at-large campaign for Boston City Council and won, becoming the first woman of color elected to the Council in its 100-year history. On the Council, Congresswoman Pressley worked in partnership with residents, advocates, and other elected officials to combat the inequities and disparities facing the community. On November 6, 2018, she was elected to represent Massachusetts’ 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, making her the first woman of color to be elected to Congress from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Congresswoman Pressley believes that the people closest to the pain should be closest to the power and that a diversity of voices in the political process is essential to making policies that benefit more Americans.
In 1967, Martin Luther King described what he saw as the most serious challenge for our society. In his words, “We must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.” More than fifty years later, the United States still faces these three existential challenges to our values as a nation.
This event is free, open to all, and is wheelchair accessible.
Immediately following lunch will be the Many Helping Hands MLK Day of Service, starting at City Hall.