✰PREMIUM MLK Jr. Day resonates throughout Brooklyn
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries: ‘We have to confront injustice wherever we find it and channel the courage, conviction and character of Dr. King to move the country forward’
Hakeem Jeffries with his award, courtesy of NOBLE President Tonya Cauley-Scott, and Vice President Kristel Johnson. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Martin Luther King Jr. Day, first officially observed nationally in 1986 when former President Ronald Reagan signed a bill to make it a federal holiday, was celebrated throughout Brooklyn this past weekend.
The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives hosted their annual event in partnership with the African American Clergy and Elected Officials. The event honored King’s legacy on Monday at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church, 11 Sumpter St.
NOBLE’s mission is “to ensure equity in the administration of justice in the provision of public service to all communities and to serve as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to justice by action.” NOBLE was founded in 1976 and has 60 chapters in six regions throughout the United States.
Opening remarks at the NOBLE event were provided by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who referred to King as “a powerful voice for the voiceless.”
Jeffries also used the time to speak on the challenges coming out of Washington. “There is trouble all around us and a hater in the White House,” he said. “But we are not distressed. Dr. King gave us the blueprint, the vision, the dream to find our way forward out of the turbulence we are in right now. We have to confront injustice wherever we find it and channel the courage, conviction and character of Dr. King to move the country forward.”
Keynote speaker Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, pointed out that if King were alive today, he would be happy about the progress that has been made in the decades since he passed away.
“In 1968, you could count the number of African American elected officials maybe on one or two hands,” Morial said. “It was the same with the judiciary and the [New York Police Department]. Things have most certainly changed. That said, I believe Dr. King would smile and say, ‘To some extent, you all have continued to further and fulfill my dream.’”
Dee Bailey, COO of the AACEO, told the Brooklyn Eagle that she takes MLK Jr. Day as personal as Christmas. Bailey played a pivotal role in getting together the 20th anniversary march on Washington in 1983, which ultimately led to Reagan signing the holiday into law. Bailey’s father, Bill Tate, former vice president of District 65 United Automobile Workers, was in charge of security for King in the 1960s.
From left: Janice Purvis, Celeste Felix, Esq. and Court Attorney Referee Daniel Noel. Photo by Wayne Daren Schneiderman
“There are so many people who tend to believe that this is just an African American holiday,” Bailey said. “It was never intended to only be a Black holiday because Dr. King was about all of us coming together.”
More MLK
In addition to the NOBLE event, the Brooklyn Academy of Music had its 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. tribute on Monday. It featured remarks by Rev. William J. Barber II, a solo performance of “Grace” by Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, a musical performance by The Fire Ensemble and more.
The tribute continued throughout the day with a free screening of “Just Mercy” at BAM Rose Cinemas, a performance by the Brooklyn Music School’s intergenerational choir on the steps of the Peter Jay Sharp Building, and family-friendly activities presented by BAMkids in The Adam Space.
MLK Jr. Day of Service, a volunteer shoreline cleanup at Shirley Chisholm State Park, took place on Saturday. The event honored King’s legacy through community action and environmental stewardship.
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum also hosted a multi-day festival with performances and activities on Monday and Tuesday.
The Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture hosted a remembrance event on Sunday that featured stories from the civil rights movement presented by featured speaker Calvin Alexander Ramsey.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
