Bellingham's annual celebration of the life and mission of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at noon Monday, Jan. 19, features music, speakers and a place for people to honor human rights. A new venue for the celebration - Bellingham's Municipal Court Building on C Street - provides room for more people, improves accessibility, and allows the city to broadcast the event live on BTV10.
"Each year the City and other organizations celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a celebration featuring music, inspirational speakers and a coming together of the community to celebrate human rights," said Bellingham City Council member Terry Bornemann, who each year helps organize the event.
Bornemann said the event seeks to honor Bellingham's diversity while celebrating the life of Dr. King, who in just 39 years became a human rights icon in this country. A Nobel Peace Prize recipient, he is remembered most for his tireless efforts in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and '60s before an assassin took his life in 1968.
Past celebrations were held at Bellingham City Hall. Bornemann said organizers were reluctant to move, but the popularity of the event outgrew the space. The large courtroom at Bellingham Municipal Court holds many more people, and the courtroom's former life as a church makes it an ideal presentation and music performance space with comfortable seating and good acoustics. Bornemann said an added bonus is that the City of Bellingham's BTV10, located in the same building, is able to broadcast the event live making it accessible to thousands more people.
Bornemann said in addition to a performance by the Kulshan Choir, this year's speakers include:
The event will air live at 12 noon, Jan. 19 on BTV10. It will be replayed on the following days throughout January:
Bornemann said the event is sponsored by the Northwest Washington Labor Council, City of Bellingham, Community Food Co-op, Village Books, Stratton Kehl Publications and Egress Studio.
Participants are encouraged to bring a can of food to donate to the Bellingham Food Bank. For information about the event, contact the City of Bellingham Mayor's Office.
Published: Jan 15, 2009
