Local Events Planned for Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

PULLMAN, Wash. — Pullman and Moscow residents will have plenty of opportunities to recognize the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Organizers of the annual MLK celebration have planned activities for all ages, with the first taking place Saturday (Jan. 14).

Here is a list of planned activities.

Saturday, Jan. 14: The Latah County Human Rights Breakfast at Moscow’s Junior High School will kick off the celebration at 9 a.m. Also, beginning at 8 a.m. is the MLK Food Drive at the Safeway stores in Pullman and Moscow. Washington State University President V. Lane Rawlins will volunteer his time at the Pullman Safeway from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The final event on Saturday will be a 3 p.m. presentation from storyteller Noa Baum called “A Land Twice Promised” in the Compton Union Building Ballroom. Baum creates a moving testimony illuminating the complex and contradictory history and emotions that surround Jerusalem and Palestinians. 

Sunday, Jan. 15: The Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda will perform at the Moscow Church of the Nazarene at 6:00 p.m. 

Monday, Jan. 16: Freedom School will begin in the CUB Ballroom at 8 a.m. There will be numerous presentations and activities for K-12 children, a panel discussion during lunch.  At approximately 12:10 p.m., Mayor Glenn Johnson will read a proclamation naming the day as Pullman MLK Day. Vice President for Equity and Diversity Michael Tate will accept the proclamation on behalf of WSU.

Two buses will take citizens on a Freedom Ride beginning at 1 p.m. The buses will leave from Pullman’s Trinity Lutheran Church located at 1300 NE Lybecker St. The two-hour simulation will include educational multimedia footage of the civil rights movement and live role playing of actors portraying famous people from the civil rights movement.

The Watoto Children’s Choir will perform at WSU’s CUB Ballroom at 3:30 p.m. A reception will follow the performance at 4:30 p.m. 

The day’s events will conclude with a reception and lecture at the WSU Fine Arts Museum beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The public is invited to view 78 black and white photographs taken by Benedict Fernandez that capture many rare and intimate moments of King’s life. The collection will be on display until Feb. 12.

Fernandez will speak at the annual MLK Distinguished Service Awards presentation at 6 p.m. at the WSU Fine Arts Museum. Rawlins and a representative from the University of Idaho will give closing remarks.

Tuesday, Jan. 17: Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum will present the Rainbow Dance Theater. The group will perform “One Village, Many Tribes” at 7:00 p.m. This show gives a tour of the world through dance. Tickets can be purchased at Beasley Coliseum.

Wednesday, Jan. 18: The Rev. Happy Watkins will give a presentation titled “I Have a Dream” at 7 p.m. at the University of Idaho’s Administration Building’s auditorium.