THIS APRIL 4 WILL BE THE 54TH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. KING’S ASSASSINATION, and the 55th anniversary of his historic A Time to Break Silence speech delivered at Riverside Church in New York City. This speech went beyond civil rights to condemn militarism, racism, and extreme materialism, enforced by a culture of violence, as the source of the ills that plague U.S. society.
For years, people have gathered on April 4 to read Dr. King’s speech as it offers a comprehensive critique of the problems we sadly still face and an inspirational vision of the transformation we so desperately need. As violent warfare rages in Eastern Europe and elsewhere, as violent white nationalism continues its march here in the United States, and as violent resource extraction threatens the very habitability of the planet itself, we will come together once again to listen and pledge ourselves to actively build a durable culture of peace in which all living things may thrive.
Our national webinar is hosted by a coalition of 48 civil and human rights, peace, religious and justice organizations (listed on our website), will include a recorded reading of the speech and live panel discussion with inspirational activists who’ve been working for a just society. Rev. James Lawson will provide his insights, our panel moderator is Stephen Ward, with panelists Nse’ Ufot, Andrea Ritchie, Robin D.G. Kelley, Crystal Cavalier and Justin Pearson. Please see our website for their bios.
By holding national and local readings, with discussions and actions relevant to the issues of today, we evoke Dr. King’s prophetic lessons and keep his words alive by using them to guide our work for justice today. Please register for our event and share our link https://bit.ly/kingbreakingsilence2022, visit our website https://kingandbreakingsilence.org, or reach out to us by email at info@kingandbreakingsilence.org. If you are holding a local event to commemorate April 4 please send us your event information.
In the same spirit, we invite and encourage participation in the local and national actions organized by the Poor People’s Campaign, including the PPC’s June 18 national mobilization in Washington, DC. Please visit www.poorpeoplescampaign.org for detailed information.
We believe Americans and the world at large are ready to hear Dr. King’s prophetic words now, more than a half century later, which hold such relevance to the challenges the world faces today. We believe the world is ready for something better than endless war and violence which we can bring to reality by declaring our commitment to the most important work before us as human beings: nurturing a real and lasting culture of peace.
In solidarity,
The April 4 King and Breaking Silence Organizing Committee
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