Mayor Announces City Events to Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of King Assassination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2008

For more information, contact:
Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, Community and Family Resources Department, City of Bloomington, 349-3471
Beverly Calender-Anderson, Director of Safe and Civil City Program, City of Bloomington, 349-3560

BLOOMINGTON, IN -- Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today the City of Bloomington will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with two public events exploring the impact of Dr. King's work.

"April 4, 2008, will be the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.," Kruzan said. "Dr. King was one of the most influential Americans of the last Century, and we intend to continue to honor his life and legacy not just on his birthday but on this important anniversary."

In addition to the two events, City flags will be lowered to half-staff, and the Mayor is encouraging that all flags in the community be lowered as well.

On Thursday, April 3, at 7 p.m. at the Second Baptist Church, 321 N. Rogers Street, a forum entitled "Forty Years Later: Toward Building the Beloved Community," will feature representatives from six faith traditions who will speak about Dr. King's impact on their lives and faith traditions, and how we can work together to realize a better America.

Panelists include Indiana University Graduate Student and Second Baptist Church member Jeremy Gilmore; Bloomington Hospital Chaplain Rev. John VanderZee; Congregation Beth Shalom Rabbi Mira Wasserman; Islamic Center representative Katrin Jomaa; St. Paul's Catholic Church Father Richard Litzau; and Baha'i' representative Blair Johnson. Music will be provided by the Second Baptist Church Choir. For information about this event, contact William A. Vance, Jr., Chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, at 332-1513, or Sheldon Gellar at 331-7039.

The second event will take place on Sunday, April 6, 3 p.m. at Ivy Tech Community College, 200 Daniels Way. "A Time to Break Silence: Clergy and Laity Concerned about Afghanistan and Iraq," will utilize Dr. King's sermon delivered at New York City's Riverside Church one year before his death in 1968. An audio version of Dr. King's speech will be played, and a panel of local clergy and professors including the Rev. Patricia Efiom of Bethel AME Church; Rabbi Shaul Magid of IU Jewish Studies; Dr. Nazif Shahrani, Chair of Near Eastern Languages and Culture; and author Dr. Scott Russell Sanders will respond to King's message, which is still relevant today.

Music will be provided by the Rev. Sharon White of the South Indiana Conference United Methodist Church. The event also will include table discussions and the formation of small, ongoing forums inspired by Dr. King's vision. The event will conclude with a reception. If you would like to attend and need transportation or more information, contact Anne McLaughlin at 812-327-3804.

Event sponsors include the City of Bloomington's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, Human Rights Commission and Safe and Civil City Program, as well as Building Bridges and Monroe County Religious Leaders.

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