Author: Donna Ardizzoni

PRESS RELEASE: GLOUCESTER MLK DAY CELEBRATION
WHAT: AN AFTERNOON OF PRESENTATIONS ON THE MLK HOLIDAY hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation
WHEN: MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017, 1:30-5:30pm
WHERE: THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE (Unitarian Universalist Church), corner of Church & Middle Street, accessible side entrance at 10 Church Street

PROGRAM:
1:30 Mary Ellen Lepionka, Cape Ann Algonquians’ first encounter with Samuel de Champlain
2:30 Lise Breen, history of early African-Americans and slavery in Gloucester
3:30 GWC Fish Tales, first-hand stories about injustice and hope
4:30 Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken, summation on cultural diversity
5:00 Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers the ‘I Have a Dream Speech’ on the CAC&S big screen
5:30 Closing, tolling of the Meetinghouse Paul Revere bell for freedom

WHAT’S SPECIAL? A rare opportunity to gather in community to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, learn about persons of color and diverse identities on Cape Ann, and rededicate ourselves to the American creed that all persons are created equal.

COST: FREE with voluntary donations, all welcome. Refreshments will be available.

MORE INFORMATION: http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org
ABOUT THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE FOUNDATION: The mission of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is to preserve the 1806 landmark building, Gloucester’s last-surviving historic Meetinghouse, as a civic hub, entertainment venue and community center.

RELATED MORNING EVENT: The Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport holds its annual Peace March commemorating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. in which members and friends gather at 9:30 am for sign making, followed by a march through downtown Rockport at 10:00 am, and gather after the march for hot cider and goodies, followed by a short worship service. For more information see: http://rockportuu.org/

GLOUCESTER EVENT CONTACT (not for publication)
Charles Nazarian, president
Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation
10 Church Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org
chasnaz@gmail.com
978-821-5291

Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation, Inc., is a nonprofit Massachusetts corporation qualified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. With this designation, contributions to the GMF are tax-exempt to the extent of the law with no goods or services received in exchange.