Residents throughout New Jersey are remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Day, first observed in 1986, remembers the civil rights activist and clergyman for his contributions to the country.
NJToday‘s David Cruz is reporting on today’s MLK observances from Newark’s Abyssinian Baptist Church tonight at 6, 7:30 and 11 pm.
Cities and towns throughout the state are remembering and honoring the late King by holding special services and activities. Here are some of the events taking place Monday:
– Jersey Cares has a Martin Luther King Day of Service Monday. The group expects 2,000 volunteers to participate in more than 50 service projects across 16 counties.
– Volunteers are working on a project at the Urban Promise Academy in Camden Monday from 9 a.m. to noon, including assembling lunch bags for the homeless.
– City and school officials in Camden discuss youth, crime and education from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday at the Walt Whitman Arts Center in Camden.
– Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick has an MLK observance Monday at noon, which includes song, dance and meditation. Elijah’s Promise Executive Director Rev. Lisanne Finson will be the guest speaker.
– The MLK Day Classic High School Basketball Tournament will be held at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton noon Monday.
– The Newark Museum has an MLK Day celebration Monday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The event includes stories, workshops, games, tours, films and performances.
– JCC of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains has a Dress For Success Suit Drive in honor of MLK Day Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Professional women’s clothing is being collected.
– The Arts Council of Princeton is hosting the Martin Luther King Jr. Art Workshop Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts.
– Mercer County Community College in Trenton has a celebration titled “I Can Succeed” scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m. The school’s African American Student Organization is hosting the program, which will include entertainment and a poetry contest.
– Mercer County Library‘s West Windsor branch will host a celebration of King Monday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The West Windsor Township Human Relations Council and the West Windsor Plainsboro African-American Parent Support Group are sponsoring the event.
– Grace Episcopal Church in Plainfield has a celebration Monday at 3 p.m. with guest speaker Matilde Moros, assistant dean for special programs and initiatives at New Brunswick Theological Seminary.
– Prospect Presbyterian Church in Maplewood will host an event at 3 p.m. Monday by the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, director of the Schomburg Center in Harlem, will be the guest speaker. The Voices in Harmony Choir and the Columbia High School Special Dance Company will perform.
– New Hope Baptist Church in Metuchen has a special service honoring King, “The New Birth of Dreamers … Come Dream With Us,” scheduled for Monday at 3:30 p.m.
– New Light Baptist Church in Bloomfield has its 10th Annual MLK Service scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m.
– Mount Pisgah AME Church in Princeton has an interfaith service honoring King at 7 p.m.