by Mike Hall
In Detroit—a historic crossroads for both the labor and civil rights movements—more than 550 activists and leaders of those movements will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the AFL-CIO’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance and National Conference.
The Jan. 12-16 observance will serve as an opportunity to recommit to working toward King’s cornerstone goals of economic and social justice. AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker says union, civil rights and community activists can honor King’s legacy by:
Redoubling our efforts to make real his prophecy our time—his message of justice for all, his message that the American Dream is for all of us.
The conference opens tonight and includes an awards presentation to civil rights veteran and lawmaker Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.). Conyers, who has been in office since 1964, is one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Tomorrow, attendees will fan out across the Motor City for a day of community service projects at local shelters, food banks, schools and social service centers. In the evening, a town hall meeting moderated by national radio talk show host and civil rights activist Joe Madison will examine the growing attacks on voting rights, union workers, the jobless and immigrants.
Through a series of workshops Saturday, participants will explore developing political strategies for the upcoming elections and beyond; combating the economic crisis with solutions for the 99 percent; protecting public education; building coalistions; and using social media to advance social justice. The evening will close with a reception featuring the music that made Motown famous.
Sunday will feature a morning worship service at the Triumph Church and a visit to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Banquet caps the day with honors to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and other civil rights, labor and community activists who exemplify King’s dedication and work.
Monday concludes with Detroit’s King Day Celebration at the Central United Methodist Church followed by the city’s annual King Day March.
This post originally appeared on the AFL-CIO Now Blog
Filed under: Conferences and Events, Labor History Tagged: | 2012 AFL-CIO King Observance, Martin Luther King Jr.
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