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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observance and Events

Monday, January 17, 2022 is a day of remembrance when we come together to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is also a day for looking forward, and re-dedicating and re-committing ourselves to the future we seek to build together: a future of racial, economic, and social justice. 

Although normally we would be coming together in person, this year we continue to weather the storm of this pandemic, so we are grateful for the many organizations around our state that are organizing and hosting virtual and online events to honor Dr. King and celebrate his legacy. In particular, we are excited for: 

The State of Civil Rights in Maine, a webinar co-sponsored by the Greater Bangor Area Branch NAACP and the University of Maine Alumni Association. This panel discussion will feature several leaders from our community, including:

  • Ambassador Maulian Dana, Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador; President of the Wabanaki Alliance, a Maine Initiatives Grants for Change grantee; and co-chair of Maine’s Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations;
  • Rachel Talbot Ross, Assistant House Democratic Leader, founder and leader of Maine Black Community Development, a Maine Initiatives Grants for Change grantee; and co-chair of Maine’s Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations; and
  • David Patrick, co-founder and co-director of Racial Equity & Justice, a Maine Initiatives Grants for Change grantee; and a Maine Initiatives board member.

In addition, below are some other events taking place this weekend and links for learning more, registering, etc. 

Lastly, we want to honor and share the following note about the activism that Dr. King’s family is doing this weekend in Washington, DC, an important and inspiring call to action for all of us: 

“The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s family will honor the civil rights leader on Monday by demanding action on federal voting rights legislation.”

“King’s eldest son, Martin Luther King III; his wife, Arndrea Waters King; and their daughter, Yolanda Renee King, are leading a march on Martin Luther King Jr. Day across the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in D.C.at 10 a.m. before joining the city’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Peace Walk urging the Senate and President Biden to enact federal voting rights legislation.” Source: Washington Post 

Thank you.

In solidarity,

The Maine Initiatives Team