City Helps Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy
City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Venice of America
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City Helps Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy

Petula Burks, Public Information Specialist
(954) 828-4742 or petulab@fortlauderdale.gov

Fort Lauderdale – The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee, Inc. (MLKCC) is inviting South Florida to participate in the 2009 King Holiday Celebratory March and Pre-Inaugural Rally scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2009.

For this historic occasion, the MLKCC is reaching out to the community at large to participate in the celebratory march and rally. Specifically, they would like schools, churches, organizations, and youth groups from all walks of life to join in the march that will start at Martin Luther King Elementary School in Fort Lauderdale at 9:30 a.m. and proceed to Dillard High, where the Pre-Inaugural Rally will take place at 10:30 a.m. The Committee is encouraging organizations to bring signs and banners commemorating the King Holiday and the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

The Pre-Inaugural Rally in Dillard’s gymnasium is free and open to the public. It will immediately follow the march and feature motivational speakers and cultural performances.

The theme of 2009 King holiday is “The Dream Lives in Me.” The goal of the MLKCC is to utilize the historic election of Barack Obama as a metaphor to inspire and motivate our youth to believe -- in the spirit of Dr. King -- that they can make a difference and that they have the power to make a change.

Other MLKCC events are:

Sunday, January 18, 1:30 - 4 p.m. at Delevoe Park
MLK Teen Rally and Step Show

Sunday, January 18, 7 p.m. at Parker Playhouse
MLK Concert: Mighty Clouds of Joy

Monday, January 19, 9:30 a.m.
MLK March and Pre-Inauguration Rally
March begins at MLK Elementary School at 9:30 a.m., Rally is at Dillard High School at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, February 15, 8:00 p.m. at Jazziz Bistro and the Hard Rock
MLK Sounds of Freedom Concert

TRAFFIC INFORMATION: The Dr. Martin Luther King Patriotic March will take place on Monday, January 19, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Martin Luther King Elementary School (N.W. 31st Ave. & Sistrunk Blvd.) The march will proceed East on Sistrunk Boulevard to N.W. 27th Avenue, turn North on 27th Avenue to Dillard H. S. ( N.W. 12 Street & 27th Avenue). ETA at Dillard H.S. is approximately 10:45 a.m.

For more information, contact Barbara Barber, City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department, at 954-828-8945.