First published in the Jan. 14 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
Glendale’s third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk and Festival will be held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Glendale, located at 209 N. Louise St.
This year’s event will begin with a Celebration Rally in the First Baptist Church’s sanctuary featuring U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff as the keynote speaker.
The rally will also include a speech by Rabbi Rick Schechter of Temple Sinai of Glendale, music by the J Mike O’Neal Ensemble and a spoken word performance by Mikol. Weather permitting, the Peace Walk will follow, taking a police-escorted route along Wilson, Brand, Broadway and Glendale avenues.
Upon return to First Baptist Church, there will be a festival where local organizations will have tables, giveaways, treats and food trucks.
The Peace Walk and Festival is a new community tradition begun by civic organizations, many of whom are associated with the Coalition for an Anti-Racist Glendale, to help bring the different civic sectors and diverse demographic groups together for a day of good will, a celebration of how our city has grown in its commitment to King’s ideals, and a rededication of ourselves to bring about a Glendale community where people of all colors receive the same access, same opportunities and same treatment whether as resident or guest.
Local businesses, organizations, faith communities, civic leaders and residents are invited to join this event. Parents especially will appreciate this opportunity for their children to tangibly engage with the civil rights leader’s story and participate in the celebration.
For more information on the Peace Walk and Festival, visit glendalepeacewalk.org.
