OAKLAND CELEBRATES THE DREAM OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING Community Events Commemorate the 75th Birthday of Civil Rights Leader

Oakland Celebrates the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with an event on January 9, 2004. Dr. King's eldest son, Martin Luther King III, will be the keynote speaker. The free event will also feature live vocal entertainment, dance and spoken word.

OAKLAND, CA (PRWEB) January 1, 2004 --Oakland Celebrates the Dream is a collection of community events and celebrations taking place throughout January 2004 to commemorate the 75th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In honor of this important milestone, SBC and the City of Oaklands Cultural Arts and Marketing Department have teamed up to host an opening ceremony and amplify Oaklands many community events celebrating the life and work of Dr. King.

The month-long series of events kicks off with the Oakland Celebrates the Dream Opening Ceremony to be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2004. Martin Luther King III, eldest son of the legendary civil rights leader and a civil rights activist in his own right, will be the keynote speaker. This free event will be held in Frank Ogawa Plaza, 14th Street at Broadway, in front of Oaklands historic City Hall.

A visionary and activist for his generation, Mr. King has continued the work begun by his late father to rid the world of social, political and economic injustice. Mr. King has held
leadership positions at The King Center -Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent

Social Change as well as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Mr. King has become one of the nations most ardent voices for the poor, the oppressed and the needy.

In addition to Mr. Kings remarks, the event will feature performances by the Allen Temple Mens Choir, Dorothy Morrison singing Oh Happy Day" and the Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Churchs mass choir. The Destiny Art Center will present a dance and spoken word performance and Oakland youth will read excerpts from Dr. Kings speeches.

The January 9 event will also include a resource fair featuring information about community events taking place in Oakland to celebrate the life and work of Dr. King. Upcoming events range from walking tours and musical tributes to a peace rally and prayer breakfast.

Details on Oakland Celebrates the Dream events are available by calling (510) 444-CITY or by visiting www.oaklandnet.com/celebrations.
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