Grand Rapids Community College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Vicki Hudson 616-234-4206

 

GRCC’S DAY-LONG CELEBRATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
PLANNED FOR JANUARY 20; MARCH TURNOUT EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS; DICK GREGORY ON CAMPUS THAT NIGHT

Grand Rapids, MI, January 10, 2003 - For the 17th consecutive year, GRCC will hold a noon march and short memorial program in honor of MLK Day. But this year, but this year participation from area high school students has been so great that GRCC coordinators are "takin’ it to the streets." In addition to the customary participation of GRCC Trustees, administrators, staff, faculty and students, as well as political and diversity organization representatives, the noon parade will include 1700 students, mostly from suburban high schools.

Local police will close streets to accommodate the large march, which will begin on GRCC’s Bostwick Commons in front of the Main Building at noon and proceed around the west end of campus to Fountain St. Church for a brief memorial program (agenda attached).

The noon program, entitled "Inherit The Dream," will also involve the most participants ever, including performances by two high school choirs, music, and tributes in honor of the slain Civil Rights activist and peace proponent who was killed April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.

"Obviously this great turnout proves that this day never loses importance," said GRCC Juan Olivarez. "We can celebrate the birthday and philosophy of this important leader again and again and we always find Dr. King’s message pertinent to the world today. After 9-11 recalling his messages was particularly poignant. This year, with our country on the precipice of war, we can again draw on this good man’s words."

In the evening, GRCC will host the 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration program co-sponsored by The I.D.M.A. Ministerial Alliance of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Vicinity, Inc., and Grand Valley State University, featuring nationally known activist and comedian Dick Gregory. The evening event begins at 7 PM in the Ford Fieldhouse.

The event is free, as will be parking in surrounding GRCC parking lots. The "Inherit the Dream" events provide scholarship opportunities to freshman students seeking to enroll at Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University.

Other community events organized around the theme "Inherit the Dream" are also planned by 2003-MLK sponsors: Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, The I.D.M.A. Ministerial Alliance of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Vicinity, Inc., and The Gecko Group. These events include:

Sunday, January 19, 2003 – The I.D.M.A. Ministerial Alliance of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Vicinity, Inc., Sunday night church celebration to be hosted at Grand Rapids First at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, January 20, 2003 – Grand Valley State University 2 o’clock march, to assemble at the Zumberge Library on the GVSU Allendale Campus followed by remarks by Dick Gregory at the Cook-DeWitt Center.

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