Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be commemorated throughout the East Bay with many events Monday. The U.S. federal holiday, in effect since 1986, has become not only a day for reflection upon the life of the civil rights leader's life, but also one of service. In addition to events such as film screenings, musical performances and rallies, groups around the country are planning community beautification and other service projects to mark the day.

Here are just some of the myriad of ways Dr. King will be honored locally on his holiday:

Peace Walk And Rally

The public is invited to gather at the Hayward City Hall Plaza at 777 B St. at 9:30 a.m. for music and a reading of the words of Dr. King.

A rally and peace march follows at 10 a.m.  At 10:30 a.m. marchers return to City Hall Plaza where they will listen to songs and be inspired by Dr. King's words of courage, hope, and justice. The event is sponsored by the South Hayward Parish.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center

The Center is  co-sponsoring  a rally at the ILWU Warehouse Union Hall, located at 99 Hegenberger Road, Oakland. Doors open at 9 am with refreshments, exhibits, and a book signing by journalist and author Belva Davis.

Davis will be presented with an award from Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan.

For more information, email Otis Sanders at otisrevupdate@yahoo.com, or call him at 510-798-5535, or Joan Suzio at 510-684-1007.

Classic African American Film Festival

The African American Museum and Library at 659 14th Street in Oakland will present its free annual classic film festival from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. To attend, call the library at 510-637-0200 or e-mail rmoss@oaklandnet.com and reserve your space. For more information visit here.

Jazz, Luncheon and Movie Screening

Piedmont's 15th annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life January 16 includes a potluck luncheon, entertainment by the Oakland Youth Chorus and Oaktown Jazz, and a screening of the historical film At the River I Stand.

The event is free and open to the public. Activities take place at the Piedmont Community Hall and Piedmont Park, 711 Highland Ave., starting at 11:30 a.m.

For the potluck luncheon, beverages and main dishes will be provided. You are encouraged to bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share that reflects your family heritage.

At the River I Stand: The 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike and the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King begins at 1:30 p.m. The 58-minute documentary brings into sharp relief issues that have only become more urgent in the intervening years: the demand for full inclusion of African Americans in American life and the fight for dignity for public employees and all working people.

The event is sponsored by the Piedmont African-American League, the Piedmont Asian-American Club, the Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee, the Piedmont League of Women Voters, the Piedmont Unified School District and the City of Piedmont. For more information, contact Lois Corrin  at (510) 420-1534 or via e-mail at loiscorrin@gmail.com.

The Art of Storytelling: From Martin Luther King Jr. to President Obama

The Oakland Museum of California is sponsoring an entertaining afternoon for the entire family January 16 from 1 to 6 p.m. According to the museum's website, families will be able to enjoy a performance of Let Freedom Ring: Civil Rights Tales by Oakland theater company Stagebridge, as storytellers remember the struggles, survival and triumph by exploring the legacy of the civil rights movement and its aftermath. Participants will participate in a storytelling workshop and learn how to tell  stories about their own family history.

They can also join Art Esteem’s creative, investigative Self as Super Hero project, which identifies MLK Jr. and President Obama as contemporary heroes. Emmy award-winning producer, scholar, and acclaimed performer Susheel Bibbs’ will offer a special presentation of Before Martin, There was Mary, highlighting the lasting contributions of California’s own Mary Ellen Pleasant. Later attendees can watch Bibbs' film, narrated by Ruby Dee, about Pleasant’s contributions to California’s Civil Rights history, as well as her impact on our present and future lives.