Jan. 17, 2002 – Plans are in place across the territory to observe Martin Luther King's birthday Monday in processions and programs remembering the slain civil rights leader and celebrating his legacy.
The official observances of the holiday begin on St. John at 9 a.m. with an ecumenical program at Guy Benjamin School in Coral Bay. "It's an interfaith event about unity and seeking to help everyone to remember Dr. King's dream," the Rev. Bruce Graham of St. John's Seventh-day Adventist Church said.
A motorcade will depart Guy Benjamin School at 10 a.m. for the Cruz Bay tennis courts. From there, a march will proceed to Cruz Bay Park, where a ceremony will be held at 11 a.m.
On St. Croix, the Central Labor Council's Civil Rights Committee will hold its 8th annual event to honor Dr. King on his birthday. The observance gets under way at 10 a.m. with a march from United Shopping Plaza to Island Center via Routes 70 and 75.
A program will follow at Island Center. Organizer Antoinette Rampersad said she expects it will begin at 10:30 a.m. "Most of the performances will be by children," she said.
On St. Thomas, an interdenominational service will be held at 6 p.m. at Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church in downtown Charlotte Amalie. Lawrence Benjamin Sr. will sing and Gov. Charles W. Turnbull will speak, addressing his remarks to the children in attendance.
