Chico’s 37th Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Chico’s 37^th Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Sunday, January 20, 2019 

“End the long night of poverty and despair”*

Chico’s traditional celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held Sunday, January 20th, starting at 2:30pm with a Rally at Chico City Plaza, followed by a March through downtown led by the children with their banners and posters. The March ends at Trinity United Methodist Church, E. 5^th & Flume Streets at 4pm for an inspirational program. The day closes with a shared community dinner in the Church Social Hall.

This year’s theme features the arising “Poor People's Campaign-A National Call for Moral Revival”, a continuation of Dr. King’s Poor People's Campaign, which was cut off when he wasassassinated 51 years ago. Our chosen quote from Dr. King, “…end the long night of poverty and despair. … And there will be a great camp meeting in the promised land.”, was spoken inEutaw, Alabama, just 15 days before his assassination, to drum up interest in and raise funds for the Poor People’s Campaign, which Dr. King had initiated and intended to lead later that spring.*

The Rally will offer high-spirited, diverse dance groups, hip hop, and the popular Cupid Shuffle - which will get everyone moving. The Church Program features talks by Greg Shafer, northern California representative to today’s Poor People’s Campaign, The Ax is Already at the Root of the Tree”, and by local activist Tyrell “Rex” Bell, Promissory Notes.   Uplifting music by Cara Lamumba, Celebration Gospel Choir, and Dominique Silva-Soares, and performances by local children will round out the program.

This family event is free and the public is invited.  

IN CASE OF RAIN: the Rally will be held inside the Social Hall at Trinity United Methodist Church, 5th and Flume Streets in Chico.

Sponsoring Organizations:  MLK Unity Group, Trinity United Methodist Church, Second Baptist Church, Rhema Word of FAITH, and the Chico Peace & Justice Center.

*https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/02/martin-luther-king-jr-poor-peoples-campaign/552539/

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Questions? Contact Emily Alma530 864-0714, emilyearth41@gmail.com