Martin Luther King Jr Day is this Monday, January 16th. It officially became a U.S. federal holiday in 1986, to honor the memory of a civil rights hero.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929; however this year we celebrate him on the 16th. King fought for equality and human rights for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged and all victims of injustice and he did so through peaceful protest. He was the driving force behind the 1963 March on Washington, where he gave his widely famous “I Have A Dream” speech. That march had a huge part in bringing about the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.
During Tuesday night’s Township Committee meeting Mayor Chris Capodice proclaimed that this January 16th will be Martin Luther King Jr Day of Remembrance.
“This Township Committee desires to acknowledge Dr.King’s life-long dedication to his dream that all men regardless of race, color or creed are entitled to the same basic rights as set forth in the U.S. Constitution – to acknowledge Dr. King’s supreme sacrifice, and to urge all citizens to reflect and to remember.”
Mayor Chris Capodice
The proclamation was presented to Rabbi Adrienne Rubin of Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael. The temple will be holding their annual community commemoration this Monday the 16th. The event is open to everyone and can also be attended through Zoom. Please make sure to register.
“This commemoration is a recitation of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s letter from Birmingham Jail, it is a powerful piece of modern American scripture and what I love about it is that there is something very different in hearing these words spoken versus reading them on paper.”
Rabbi Adrienne Rubin
Please be aware that Townhall will be closed on Monday, Jan.16th.