Article
Events held to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking at a mass meeting at Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, Alabama.
"Alabama Department of Archives and History. Donated by Alabama Media Group. Photo by Ed Jones, Birmingham News."
By Faith Callens
Special to the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information
Starting today, there are several events happening in the Queen City to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his efforts to bring forth change and equality to all people.
The first event starting at 6 p.m. is the city’s annual criminal justice mass meeting that is held at First Baptist Church at 709 Martin Luther King Jr. St. The event will feature Alabama Senator Robert Stewart, who serves District 23, Alabama Representative Prince Chestnut, who serves District 67 including this year’s keynote speaker Doug Jones, who also served as a former U.S. Senator of Alabama from 2018 to 2021.
“I think this is just a continuation that’s building upon last year’s events,” said Senator Stewart. “We received a lot of great fanfare and overwhelming support from the community, and we just want to keep it going and address the civil justice issues that our community has by giving people an opportunity to attend the warrant clinic from 4 to 7 p.m. as well and to just let people know that they have elected officials working for them, trying to improve their lives.”
Stewart said with the event being held at First Baptist Church, a place where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke and where the first mass meeting was held, he finds it to be a grateful experience to continue King’s legacy to fight for civil rights while ensuring that there is a more, just society for Alabamians as a whole.
“We just want people to walk away more informed about the justice systems and how they impact their lives,” Stewart said. Stewart went on to say, “Now, criminal justice is a community issue.”
On Friday, Jan.16, the events surrounding the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. continue. There will be a movie screening Friday night at 6 p.m. called “The Trauma We Carry”, highlighting criminal justice reform activist Dena Dickerson, her life and how the criminal justice system affected her well-being at a young age.
“It is just another opportunity for us to be more informed,” Stewart said. “All these events highlighting Dr. King and his legacy are about us recommitting to really trying to have a beloved community, recommitting to justice, opportunity and peace for all.”
Stewart said Friday night’s event will include refreshments and a chance for the community to connect and fellowship with each other.
On Monday, Jan.19, which is the official observance day for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he said that there will be two more historic events taking place as well.
The 33rd anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast sponsored by The Selma Chapter of the Links, Incorporated organization will start at 9 a.m. Monday at the Selma Convention Center at 211 Washington St.
To conclude the evening of events, there will also be a wreath laying ceremony and candlelight vigil held at 5 p.m. at the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1431 Broad St.
Stewart said the unity breakfast event is ticket only and those interested can reach out to the Unity Breakfast Chairperson Dr. Willietta Conner at 334-412-6031 or Dr. Patricia Robinson at selmalinks@gmail.com for more information.
