Today is Martin Luther King Day, and there were two major events in New Britain to celebrate the occasion.
The first was the City of New Britain MLK breakfast at Angelico's Restaurant, followed by the wreath-laying at the Martin Luther King monument on MLK Boulevard.
The keynote speaker was Rev. Thomas Mills of New Britain's McCullough Temple. It was a stirring speech, in which Rev. Mills spoke about the significance of the great events of Dr. King's work and what still has yet to be achieved. His speech was a call to action since, while the civil rights movement has accomplished much, there is a need to build momentum in the movement for changes still needed.
Rev. Mills pointed out Dr. King's courageous stand against the Vietnam War and his work to expand the civil rights movement to challenge the unjustly inequitable economic systems that harm Americans of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
I have asked Rev. Mills for a copy of his speech. I will post it here when he does. I wish someone had recorded it. It was truly a great speech.
The second event was the Mary McLeod Bethune Club's Martin Luther King Day commemoration at Spottswood AME Zion Church. The main speaker was Kevin Williams, who is the advisor to the New Britain High School African American Club.
The event raises funding for the Bethune Club scholarship. This year's scholarship recipient is Ms. Aja Edwards.
I know that there are statewide Martin Luther King commemorations. But I feel fortunate that New Britain is a place where the memory of Dr. King's work and the importance of the civil rights movement is kept alive.
The first was the City of New Britain MLK breakfast at Angelico's Restaurant, followed by the wreath-laying at the Martin Luther King monument on MLK Boulevard.
The keynote speaker was Rev. Thomas Mills of New Britain's McCullough Temple. It was a stirring speech, in which Rev. Mills spoke about the significance of the great events of Dr. King's work and what still has yet to be achieved. His speech was a call to action since, while the civil rights movement has accomplished much, there is a need to build momentum in the movement for changes still needed.
Rev. Mills pointed out Dr. King's courageous stand against the Vietnam War and his work to expand the civil rights movement to challenge the unjustly inequitable economic systems that harm Americans of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
I have asked Rev. Mills for a copy of his speech. I will post it here when he does. I wish someone had recorded it. It was truly a great speech.
The second event was the Mary McLeod Bethune Club's Martin Luther King Day commemoration at Spottswood AME Zion Church. The main speaker was Kevin Williams, who is the advisor to the New Britain High School African American Club.
The event raises funding for the Bethune Club scholarship. This year's scholarship recipient is Ms. Aja Edwards.
I know that there are statewide Martin Luther King commemorations. But I feel fortunate that New Britain is a place where the memory of Dr. King's work and the importance of the civil rights movement is kept alive.
