The City of Bellingham will host a Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at noon on Monday, January 16, at City Hall, 210 Lottie Street. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Kulshan Chorus led by Director Dustin Willetts. Local author and civil rights activist Clyde Ford will be the Emcee. Ford helped start the event 26 years ago.
The event will open with a blessing from Lummi Nation Member Darrell Hillaire, followed by a special welcome by Mayor Kelli Linville. Speakers will be Nina Damina Khaira Ahmed and Victoria Matey. Children's artwork related to MLK will be displayed.
“As our world changes, our commitment to peace and social justice cannot change,” said City Council Member Terry Bornemann, one of the event's organizers. “We must not waver as we face unprecedented challenges. The transformative nonviolent principles of Martin Luther King, Jr. can show us the way.”
There will be limited seating for those who cannot stand for an hour; otherwise, it will be standing room only. For those who cannot attend, the event will be televised live on BTV Channel 10 and also streamed live at www.cob.org.
