Description
Join the City of Cambridge as we celebrate and remember the life and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM: Celebration of Dr. King’s Life and Work for Peace, Justice, and Transformation.
• 12:45 to 1:45 PM: Informal lunch and community gathering in the undercroft (basement) at St. Peter’s.
We will gather as a community to hear readings from Dr. King’s words calling for peace, justice and transformation,
music by Véronique Epiter, Christina DeVaughn and members of Cambridge's Episcopal churches, and
remarks by Paul Parravano, Co-Director of MIT’s Office of Government and Community Relations. Paul connects MIT to all levels of government and major constituency groups, and in Cambridge he strengthens MIT’s involvement in science education through partnerships – especially with the Cambridge Public Schools. Paul lost his sight at the age of three, and with the support of his parents, learned braille, excelled in schools (learning Latin, German and French along the way), graduated from Harvard University and Northeastern University Law School, and worked as a civil rights attorney before joining MIT.
In 1967, Martin Luther King described what he saw as the most serious challenge for our society. In his words, “We must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.” More than fifty years later, the United States still faces these three existential challenges to our values as a nation.
This event is free, open to all, and is wheelchair accessible.
Immediately following lunch will be the Many Helping Hands MLK Day of Service, starting at City Hall.