City Honors Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities led the official city celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday.

The annual event was held online, in pre-recorded presentation on the city’s Facebook page.

“The city of New Britain wanted to make sure we still took time to celebrate the life and legacy of the right honorable Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., said Jessica Angelo-Julien. She said that,

Things may seem different but we continue to repeat the past. We cannot turn a blind eye to current events. Dr. King’s words continue to ring true – and relevant even today. We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice, not in love with publicity, but in love with humanity. We call on the unification of true brotherhood and sisterhood, to stand up for what is right in peaceful assembly. Let freedom ring.

Rev. Gervais Barger, Pastor of Peace Missionary Ministries said that,

Blacks in America are still fighting for equality almost sixty years since the passing of Dr. King, and we desperately need the help of our white brothers and sisters to achieve his dream. Let us work together to make the liberty and justice for all that our country pledges as a model for the world – a true hallmark that all Americans can strive to achieve for the good of all people.

“In the city of New Britain,” said Mayor Erin Stewart, “we are proud to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

New Britain Fire Chief Raul Ortiz said that Dr. King’s, “commitment to service of humanity, and the idea of a better America is what drove him to be the leader he was, and still is. It was his dream and his faith of the American promise to us.”

The event featured a poetry reading by children and a reading of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech by members of the New Britain Youth Leadership Group.

The community event was one of a number of events in New Britain held to remember Dr. King and the civil rights movement. Other events are being held in the city throughout the week.