Martin Luther King Jr. Day events

A number of events are planned in Eastern Washington and North Idaho to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is Monday, Jan. 21.

TODAY

SCC Martin Luther King Jr. Day Event – Spokane Community College presents “Martin Luther King’s Dream vs. Hip Hop.” The program includes a viewing of the independent film “Beyond Beats and Rhymes,” hip-hop performances and a public forum discussing ways to rekindle Martin Luther King’s dreams for equality. 6-8 p.m., the Garland Theater, 924 W. Garland Ave. Free. (509) 533-7378.

WEDNESDAY

“How Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Impacted My Life” – Luncheon with African drum music and talk by Jim Wilburn, the multicultural program support supervisor at Spokane Falls Community College. 11:30 a.m., SFCC Student Union Building Lounges A, B and C, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive. $7/general, $5/students. (509) 533-3240.

“The Right to Dream: Share the Struggle” – Living Voices recreates a young man’s coming of age as an African American in Mississippi during the 1950s and ‘60s through a unique combination of theater, video and live interaction. Following the presentation, the university will present its Martin Luther King Jr. Campus Distinguished Service Awards recognizing individuals and organizations that exemplify King’s ideals. 7 p.m., University of Idaho, Hartung Theatre, Moscow. Free. (208) 885-7251.

THURSDAY

“Eyes on the Prize: No Easy Walk” – The award-winning documentary from 1961-63 explores King’s initiation of non-violent protest and its powerful role in the civil rights movement. 12:30 p.m., University of Idaho, Teaching and Learning Center, room 229, Moscow. Free. (208) 885-7251.

SATURDAY

Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Celebration Event – Keynote speaker is Judy Richardson, educational director for “Eyes on the Prize” and a key figure in the Civil Rights movement. 3 p.m., Washington State University, Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum, Pullman. Free. (208) 885-7251.

Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Community Breakfast – Guest speaker will be activist Maria Mabbutt, farm worker. Tickets available at BookPeople bookstore. 9 a.m., Moscow Junior High School, 1410 E. D Street, Moscow. $8/general, $4/students. (208) 885-7251.

MONDAY

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Remembrance program – Annual event. 4-6 p.m. Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, 806 W. Indiana Ave. Free. (509) 455-8722.

Freedom School Workshop – Presented by Washington State University. Registration 9 a.m.-noon and includes a continental breakfast. Lunch is brown-bag, and workshops in the afternoon will be held hourly on the hour. The day ends with a special presentation of “The Meeting.” University of Idaho, Center for Undergraduate Education (CUE), Room 512, Moscow. (208) 885-7725.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Unity March – Annual event starting at the INB Performing Arts Center and ending in River Park Square, where Rev. Happy Watkins will recite King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, along with other guest speakers and entertainment. 10 a.m. 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Free. (509) 455-8722.

SLO Food Drive – (Sustainable, Local, Organic) donations accepted. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Pullman’s Safeway or Dissmores stores. (208) 885-7725.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Volunteer/Resource Fair - Various booths through River Park Square shopping mall. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 455-8722.

“It’s About Time!” Student Summit – Event promotes race and gender equalities in athletics. Keynote speaker is Josh Culbreath, a bronze medalist in the 1956 Olympics. 1-3 p.m., Coeur d’Alene High School auditorium, 5530 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 292-2359.

“It’s About Time!” high school essay contest – Students must attend the summit, above, to be eligible for prizes in this essay contest open to all area high school students. Deadline is Feb. 15 and prizes are $100 for 1st Place, $75 for 2nd Place and $50 for 3rd Place. For information on topics and requirements, call Donna Cork at (208) 292-2359, or e-mail her at dcork@hrei.org.

Gala Event and Dinner – Sponsored by the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations and the Human Rights Education Institute. Dinner, silent and live auctions, a presentation of “National Pastime” featuring actors simulating conversations between Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey, and speaker Josh Culbreath. 5:30-9 p.m., Best Western Coeur d’Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Ave., Coeur d’Alene. $40 per person. (208) 292-2359.

JAN. 22

“A Day On, Not a Day Off” – School supply drive sponsored by the Africana Education Program. Drop off school supply items for Cheney grade school students at the Eastern Washington University bookstore in the Pence Union Building or at the Africana Education Program office, Monroe Hall, Room 204, in Cheney. Co-sponsors are the EWU Black Student Union, EWU NAACP, African Alliance and Zeta Phi Beta. (509) 359-2205.

“Like a Mighty Army, The Story of the Civil Rights Movement in America, 1955-1968” – Edgar Hargrow, noon. Eastern Washington University, Showalter Hall, room 109, 322 - Fifth St., Cheney. Free. (509) 359-2205.

From staff reports