History in the making…

“There are relatively few moments in our lives that make history; The weekend of August 27th & 28th will be one for the history books as we not only commemorate the 48th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream Speech’, but also when the world bears witness to the unveiling of the national King Memorial.

We are living in perhaps one of the most unpredictable and capricious times in our nation’s history and while people of color and the traditionally marginalized are making enormous strides with access to places never even imaginable before, the working class and poor are still under attack in extraordinary and systematic ways. When the disenfranchised are further removed from the mainstream, the class divide between the haves and have not’s naturally increases. For those who may be quick to forget the legacy of Dr. King, let us remember that he died while fighting for worker’s rights and the basic human dignity of all.”

— Rev. Al Sharpton, founder & president of the National Action Network

It seems fitting that the official dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial will take place this Sunday, on the anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

But don’t just commemorate history, become a part of history — join us this Saturday at noon to [CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER: Rally and March for Jobs, Justice, and the American Dream.]

While you’re at it, check out these events in Martin Luther King, Jr.’s honor this weekend:

Kennedy Center Celebration
Gospel legends Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes, a cappella group Naturally 7, Raheem DeVaughn, and urban jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet host a Millennium Stage concert honoring the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial.
Location: Concert Hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Date: Friday, August 26, 2011
Time: 6 – 7 p.m.

[CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER: Full Democracy and Freedom Rally]
“As long as Americans living in our nation’s capital are treated as second-class citizens, Dr. King’s dream of equality remains unfulfilled.”
— Ilir Zherka, executive director of DC Vote

Location: Freedom Plaza, at 14th St. and Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Date: Saturday, August 27, 2011
Time:
9:00 a.m. Pre-rally music and speeches by youth leaders
10:00 a.m. Rally for Full Democracy and Freedom, with District and Civil Rights leaders
11:00 a.m. March to join the National Action Network Rally at 17th St and Constitution Ave NW
1:30 PM March to the site of the King Memorial at Ohio Drive SW and West Basin Drive SW

[CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER: Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Dedication Ceremony]
Location: West Potomac Park
Date: Sunday, August 28, 2011
Time:
8:30 a.m. Pre-Dedication Musical Tribute to the Life, the Dream and the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
11 a.m. The official Dedication ceremony of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
2 – 4 p.m. Post-Dedication concert on the national mall featuring noted artists.

Screening and Discussion of the award-winning film BROTHER OUTSIDER: THE LIFE OF BAYARD RUSTIN
Since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, Brother Outsider has introduced millions of viewers around the world to the life and work of Bayard Rustin—a visionary strategist and activist who has been called “the unknown hero” of the civil rights movement. A disciple of Gandhi, a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr., and the architect of the 1963 March on Washington, Rustin dared to live as an openly gay man during the fiercely homophobic 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

Location: Busboys & Poets, 14th and V Streets NW
Date: Sunday, August 28, 2011
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.

The Hip Hop Caucus’ MLK Memorial Dedication Party
Location: 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW
Date: Sunday, August 28, 2011
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets are $12