February, 2005
STREETVIBES Martin Luther King Jr. Remembered and Honored in Cincinnati story and photos by Jimmy Heath
Temperatures were well below freezing, but several hundred people who attended the 30th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorative event downtown Monday, January 17th, were unfazed by the cold weather. The tri-state’s observance of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday included many events - a public gathering at Fountain Square, speeches and a march to Music Hall for music and remembrance. The Music Hall portion of the event was emceed by local television personality and former candidate for mayor, Courtis Fuller. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Chorale, led by Catherine Roma performed traditional spirituals and gospel music. Around the country events were held to celebrate and remember the legacy of Martin Luther King. San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium was packed with adults and children honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On the 19th anniversary of the remembrance hundreds made their way to the auditorium at the Civic Center to hear from American Idol finalist Latoya London, the Glide Ensemble, and U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee. Martin Luther King Jr. was honored for the 10th year by community leaders in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Guest speakers included Mayor Heartwell, Police Chief Harry Dolan, and Rev. David May, who spoke about unity and the racial divide in our community. Rev. May says Grand Rapids has made progress, but still has a long way to go before the dream is realized. “All of the statistical information squarely puts us as one of the most segregated divided communities in the country and so that speaks volumes in terms of where we need to go. But it also doesn’t mean that nothing has been done, there are gains that have been made in our city, but we just have leaps and bounds of progress that we need to make.” President Bush spent part of the Martin Luther King holiday praising the secretary of state. Colin Powell and his wife Alma were given the John Thompson Legacy of a Dream Award during a “Let Freedom Ring” celebration at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Bush called the Powells “among the most
admired people in our country.” As secretary of State, Bush said Colin Powell “became one of the most effective and admired diplomats in America’s history.’’ The president noted that besides rising to the top in the military, Powell has been an official in the administration of six presidents. Bush also praised Martin Luther King Junior. He said King made this country a different and better place when he could have had an easy life in a respected pulpit. Many people know first hand that the work that eventually took King’s life still goes on today. But the challenges that human rights workers face now are bigger than ever. March from Fountain Square to Music Hall
MLK
Cont. on page 8
Hundreds gather in the cold on Fountain Square to honor MLK
Marching on 12th Street to Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine
Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless