Berkeley Groups Participating in El Cerrito's Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Rally

Information submitted by City of El Cerrito:

The El Cerrito community will honor Dr. King, share his message and celebrate his life on Monday, January 19, 2015 with a parade and rally. This year marks the twenty-sixth consecutive annual celebration in El Cerrito of the life and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The events are free and all ages are welcome. This year’s theme is “Still I Rise – Hands Up For Justice” and the program will include a special recognition in memory of Maya Angelou. “Maya Angelou and Dr. Martin L.King both taught the importance of peace, non-violence, justice and freedom for all mankind,” explained event coordinator Patricia Durham.

Individuals and groups are invited to join the parade on Monday morning. After the parade, there will be a rally including entertainment. The program expected to last approximately one hour.

Community members who wish to march in the parade should meet at 9:00 a.m. at the El Cerrito D.M.V., 6400 Manila Avenue, El Cerrito. The parade will leave the D.M.V. parking lot promptly at 9:30 a.m. led by the El Cerrito High School Marching Band, and proceed along San Pablo Avenue, up Moeser Lane to Ashbury Avenue and arrive at El Cerrito High School by approximately 10:15 a.m.

The rally will begin at 10:30 a.m. inside the Performing Arts Center at El Cerrito High School, 540 Ashbury Avenue, El Cerrito. The Theater will open at 10:00 a.m. to the public.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Darrell J. Wesley. Dr. Wesley is a chaplain in the US Navy. Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, he holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary and a PhD degree in Theology, Ethics and Culture from Claremont Graduate University. He currently serves as senior chaplain for the Third Marine Aircraft Wing. From June 2005 to July 2008 he occupied the prestigious military assignment as ethics professor and staff chaplain at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.

The program also includes performances by:

• Bay Area Line Dancers
• Oakland Black Cowboy Association
• Students from Harding Elementary School & Madera Elementary School
• El Cerrito High School Jazz Band
• Portola Middle School Jazz Band
• El Cerrito High School Dance Production
• Girl Scouts and Boy Scout of America
• Montessori Family School, El Cerrito and Berkeley
• Japanese American Citizen League
• East Bay Masonic Lodge
• Singer Tonnie Harvey – Misa Music and Entertainment
• Unitarian Church of Berkeley

The event is sponsored by the City of El Cerrito, St. Peter Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the El Cerrito Branch NAACP and the West Contra Costa County Unified School District.

For more information, go to the City of El Cerrito website at www.el-cerrito.org or contact event coordinator Patricia Durham at (510) 234-2518.

Photo: Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 at Lincoln Memorial (National Park Service)