There will be a Memorial Program to the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Junior's memory at the Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church on Sunday, January 20th. Details to follow.
There will be a Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Junior march in Rogersville on Monday, January 21st. Participants are asked to meet in the Hawkins County Courthouse yard at 11 AM on that day. The march will begin at 11:30 AM from the Courthouse to Russells Chapel Church, where the Memorial Service will begin at 12:30PM. Rev. James Snapp of the Lyons Chapel Church in New Canton was the first to start a Freedom March in Hawkins County, and this one will be the 5th one.
KINGSPORT — The eighth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade will be held Monday from noon to 1 p.m. in downtown Kingsport.
The Tennessee & Virginia Fellowship Against Racism and the East Tennessee Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship are sponsoring the parade with the theme being “Remember! Celebrate! Act! — A Day On, Not a Day Off.”
The parade will begin at the intersection of East Sevier and Center Street (the Allstate Insurance parking lot) and end on Shelby Street (the city parking lot between City Hall and the Justice Center).
Overseer Ron Collins, with TVFAR, said he hopes marching bands from area schools, organizations, businesses and individuals will enter a car, float, church or business van, bus or truck, or other exhibit or simply walk in the parade on Monday.
“A parade is more inclusive. We’re continuing to put forth every effort for diversity and unity,” Collins said.
ETSU to host King Birthday Celebration
• JOHNSON CITY — A Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration and Unity Walk will be held at East Tennessee State University Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the D.P. Culp University Center ballroom. Sponsored by ETSU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and Black Affairs Association, this annual event will feature “Celebrating the Legacy,” a lecture by former Radford University President Dr. Douglas Covington, and a reading of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech by Tracy Haynes. For more information contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 439-6635 or mcstaff@etsu.edu. Because of ongoing renovation work in the Culp Center, those with disabilities who need assistance should call the building’s main office at 439-4286.
MLK Candlelight Vigil to be held
• KINGSPORT — New Vision Youth will present the Martin Luther King Jr. third annual Candlelight Vigil Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Booker Street parking lot in front of the Riverview Boys and Girls Club. The theme will be “A Last Dedication to the Riverview Apartments.” The public is invited to attend, and participants are asked to bring a candle. In the event of bad weather, the event will be held in the V.O. Dobbins gym. The event is being held in partnership with the Riverview Resident Association, Riverview Boys and Girls Club, and Kingsport Parks and Recreation. New Vision Youth will also hold a Black History program Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. in the Renaissance Center. The speakers will include Jeff Fulkerson and Ivy McQuirter. For more information contact Johnnie Mae Swagerty at 246-6623.
Community Unity Day in Kingsport is Sunday, February 24th. The event will be held at the Eastman Toy F. Reid Employee Center. More details to follow.
