Second line band to highlight university’s Martin Luther King Jr. events
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Office of Diversity & Equity invites the campus community to continue the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day into the week.
“Efforts to protect civil rights and fight for social justice aren’t constrained to a single day,” said Jennifer Ng, interim vice provost for diversity & equity. “The start of classes and the return of students to campus are a great time for us to reaffirm how essential these principles are for the good of all. Dr. King laid a foundation, but it’s up to all of us to continue to work on equity, justice and inclusion.”
KU’s signature event will be a New Orleans-style second line band march along Jayhawk Boulevard. The march begins with remarks from KU leadership at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, in the Rotunda of Strong Hall. Marchers will leave Strong Hall and progress along Jayhawk Boulevard toward the Kansas Union. Participants can join the march at any point. At the Union, Ng will offer closing remarks.
Immediately after the march, roundtable discussions on King’s legacy will begin at 12:45 p.m. in the Big 12 Room of the Kansas Union. Topics will focus on King’s radical activism, his fight against poverty, segregation and joblessness, and his opposition to the Vietnam War.
Elsewhere in Lawrence, Ecumenical Ministers of Lawrence and the Jayhawk Breakfast Rotary Club will sponsor the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at Maceli’s Banquet Hall, 1031 New Hampshire St. Tickets for the event, which features keynote remarks by Dave Tell, professor of communication studies, are $10. Contact Bernie Kish at 785-864-0703 or bkish@ku.edu for additional information on tickets.
Lawrence Public Schools will host its annual ONE DREAM MLK Celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at Billy Mills Middle School, 2734 Louisiana St. The event includes a gallery viewing, cultural performances, educational presentations and the district’s annual MLK Awards presentations to students, staff and community members. The gallery exhibition begins at 5:30 p.m., and auditorium doors open at 6 p.m. with presentations beginning at 6:30 p.m.
All are welcome to attend any of these events.
King, whose memory is honored by the national holiday on Monday, Jan. 20, was a minister and civil rights activist best known for his leadership and organizing efforts in the '50s and '60s. In 1964, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance. He also posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.