Jan. 7 prayer vigil supports civil rights icon battling cancer

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, Michigan legislators and regional ecumenical leaders are calling the community together to offer support for Congressman John Lewis, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

The public is invited to attend a community program of support on the steps of the Michigan State Capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 7, noon to approximately 12:20 p.m. There will be a short program, interfaith prayers, a vocal tribute and a ringing of bells.

“The Congressman has fought so valiantly for our nation; we join him now in this fight and offer our prayers for his full recovery,” said Elaine Hardy, chairperson of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan.

Lewis is a life-long champion of civil rights and social justice and one of the last living leaders of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. He is the keynote speaker of the MLK Commission's 2020 Day of Celebration, Monday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m. at the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave. At this time, there are no known changes to the program. If changes occur, the public and media will be notified.

Day of Celebration tickets are $50 each or $400 for a table of eight. They can be purchased at Lansing City Hall, 124 W. Michigan Ave., and East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. For more information, follow the commission on Facebook, search @MLKCommOfMidMI, or call 517.410.2998.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan works to support equality, diversity and social justice. It focuses on the area’s pressing issues of literacy, youth violence, hunger, mentoring, education and community enrichment. The nonprofit organization supports a number of community service agencies and promotes youth initiatives, such as essay and art contests, college scholarships and the annual 8-day Y-Achievers Cultural Immersion Transportation Study & College Tour for high school students.