NORTHAMPTON — Faced with daily bouts of racism and persisting segregation, Martin Luther King Jr. was “fascinated by the idea of refusing to cooperate with an evil system.”
The wisdom King showed in his ability to meet hate and oppression with love — to resist, peacefully — became a hallmark of his legacy.
Just as the American Friends Service Committee supported King in his commitment to nonviolent resistance during his life, the nonprofit agency continues to honor the memory of the man and everything he stood for. The organization is sponsoring the 33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration throughout the day Monday, and all events are free and open to the public.
“The goal is to offer people of all ages and interests something to do to commemorate King’s legacy,” said AFSC Director Jeff Napolitano.
This year’s theme for the day is, “We Shall Resist.” Napolitano said policy ideas put forward by the incoming administration stand to remind people to be moral in a world in which it’s increasingly difficult to be so.
“Given the proximity of Martin Luther King Day to the inauguration, King’s commitment to peaceful resistance and nonviolent direct action seemed appropriate and timely,” he said. “Given the tenor and tone of the incoming administration — not the people necessarily, but the policies — it seemed resistance was going to be the watchword.”
Napolitano said that the AFSC previously played a heavier role in the educational portion of the day’s proceedings, but this year there were so many new activists who “have sprouted up organically” within recent months.
“This year we’re basically handing it over to community groups,” he said.
Napolitano said he continues to get calls requesting the space for workshops on Monday, so he advised people attending to continuously check http://afscwm.org/ over the weekend for new workshops likely to crop up.
“This year there’s really direct ways for people to plug into activism happening locally,” he said. “That really is going to set the tone, I hope, for how people resist and try to be active citizens in the days ahead of us.”
Here’s a breakdown of the day’s events:
Sojourner Truth Walking Tour, 9 a.m. Led by Steve Strimer of the David Ruggles Center, a longstanding Florence nonprofit committed to social justice, the annual walk begins at the Sojourner Truth Memorial statue at the corner of Pine Street and Park Street in Florence. It includes a tour of city houses used in the Underground Railroad and other historical sites.
Children’s MLK Jr. Celebration, 10 a.m. Ousmane Power-Greene, author and professor at Clark University, will host the annual children’s celebration with child-friendly music and art. This year, the event takes place at Jackson Street Elementary School at 120 Jackson St.
Convocation, 12 p.m. Staff from the AFSC will make a statement at the Edwards Church at 297 Main St. Tables will be open at the church through 5 p.m. for those seeking more information or direction to events. Additionally, the tables will offer “Black Lives Matter” signs as wells “Good Neighbor” signs.
Social Justice Workshops, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. From criminal justice to climate justice, these community-run workshops will highlight what people can do locally to make a difference.
Sing-a-long celebration, 6 p.m. Lead by professional local singer Evelyn Harris, the day’s events end on a high note with a group of community choruses.
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.