MLK Jr. Day Events Scheduled For SnoCo This Month

From SnoCo County:From In 1979, a public campaign in support of officially recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a national holiday was launched. This community-based effort resulted in six million signatures for a petition to Congress.

The effort was recognized in The Nation at the time as “the largest petition in favor of an issue in U.S. history.”

In 1984, Congress passed legislation officially declaring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday. In 1994, Congress designated the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service.

Every year, on the third Monday in January, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is observed as a “day on, not a day off.” The intention of the day is to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions for social ills, and lead us closer to achieving Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

This year, Snohomish County government encourages everyone who lives, works, and plays in Snohomish County to join community events in solidarity with Dr. King’s dream and vision.

Friday, January 11, 12:30 p.m. - Celebration of the life and teachings of Dr. King.

• Keynote Speaker: Spencer Haywood.
• Tickets will be available at the door starting at 11:15 a.m. on a first come first serve basis.
• Edmonds Community College – Blackbox Theatre. 20310 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood.
• For more information, please visit MLK Website or contact Rusell Dorsey at russell.dorsey@edcc.edu

*From 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the Seaview Gym, Mr. Haywood will meet with athletes from Edmonds CC campus for an informal Q & A session. Open to the public.

Monday, January 14, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. - MLK Jr. Birthday Party and Scavenger Hunt.

• FREE
• Edmonds Community College – Triton Student Center in Brier Hall.
• For more information, please visit MLK Website or contact Rusell Dorsey at russell.dorsey@edcc.edu

Tuesday, January 15, 12:30 p.m. (student event) and 7 p.m. (open to the public. Reserve tickets) - Using the Arts to Engage and Create Peace.

• Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michael Benitez Jr.
• FREE - RESERVE TICKETS.
• Edmonds Community College – Black Box Theatre in Mukilteo Hall.
• For more information, please visit MLK Website or contact Rusell Dorsey at russell.dorsey@edcc.edu

Wednesday, January 16, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Know your rights: Education and Advocacy Day.

• FREE
• Edmonds Community College – Triton Student Center in Brier Hall.
• For more information, please visit MLK Website or contact Rusell Dorsey at russell.dorsey@edcc.edu

Thursday, January 17, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Creating Peace Through our Multicultural Identities: Workshops.

• FREE
• Edmonds Community College – Center for Student Cultural Diversity and Inclusion. Brier Hall.
• For more information, please visit MLK Website or contact Rusell Dorsey at russell.dorsey@edcc.edu

Sunday, January 20, 3:00-5:00 p.m. - 35th Annual Reverend Dr. MLK Jr. Greater Everett Community Celebration.

• Keynote Speaker: King County Councilmember Larry Gossett.
• FREE
• Bethany Christian Assembly. 2715 Everett, WA 98201.
• For more information call 425-876-0665 and/or 425-583-7739.

Monday, January 21, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. - MLK National Day of Service – Volunteer for a greener Lynnwood.

• FREE
• Lynnwood Senior Center. 19000 44th Ave W.
• RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlk-day-of-service-tickets-30860275916

Monday, January 21, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - MLK National Day of Service.

• FREE - Light lunch and refreshments provided.
• Gold Park. 6421 200th St. SW. Lynnwood.
• For more information, please visit MLK Website or contact Rusell Dorsey at russell.dorsey@edcc.edu

Monday, January 21, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Our Beloved Community Morning Program. A tribute to Rev. Dr. MLK Jr in Song, Spoken Word and Dance.

• Morning program for families, children and youth.
• FREE
• The Edmonds Center for the Arts. 410 4th Ave N. Edmonds, WA 98020

Monday, January 21, 7:30 p.m. - Our Beloved Community Morning Program. A tribute to Rev. Dr. MLK Jr in Song, Spoken Word and Dance. Evening Tribute.

• Tickets here.
• The Edmonds Center for the Arts. 410 4th Ave N. Edmonds, WA 98020.

Thursday, January 24, 9 - 11 a.m. - Honoring Dr. King's Legacy of Action - Advocacy 101 Trainings.

• FREE (Registration Required)
• United Way of Snohomish County. 3120 McDougall Ave., Everett.
• Limited seats are available. Please register on this Eventbrite page today.
• If you have any questions about the event please contact Lark Kesterke at lark.kesterke@uwsc.org.

Thursday, February 21, 4 - 6 p.m. - Honoring Dr. King's Legacy of Action - Advocacy 101 Trainings.

• FREE (Registration Required)
• United Way of Snohomish County. 3120 McDougall Ave., Everett.
• Limited seats are available. Please register on this Eventbrite page today.
• If you have any questions about the event please contact Lark Kesterke at lark.kesterke@uwsc.org.

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Day of Service or register your event, please visit NationalService.gov/serve-your-community/mlk-day-service.

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Getty Image via Reg Lancaster / Stringer