24th Annual MLK March and Commemoration one week away

In one week, months of planning and event preparation will come to an end as San Antonio celebrates the 2011 MLK March and Commemoration on Monday, January 17. This year will mark the 24th anniversary of the City of San Antonio's legacy of joining with community members to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of this nation's most revered civil rights leaders. It will also mark the beginning of the event going "green" as recycling will be offered throughout Pittman-Sullivan Park during the commemoration celebration.

The MLK Commission also encourages all individuals attending the march to take advantage of VIA Metropolitan Transit special event Park and Ride service to the march. Not only will you have convenient transportation to the event but you will also be helping the environment.

"Freedom, equality and justice were tenets that our founding fathers embraced and we march to demonstrate our continued commitment to those values" says Councilwoman Ivy R. Taylor.

The march will begin at 10:00 a.m. in front of the MLK Academy, 3501 Martin Luther King Drive. Dr. Mary Frances Berry will deliver the keynote speech at the commemorative program following the march. Berry was the first black woman to head a major research university; she was also appointed Assistant Secretary of Education by President Jimmy Carter in 1977; and she became commissioner and vice chairman of the United States Commission on Civil Rights in 1980. The special musical guest for the commemorative program will be gospel artist Earnest Pugh.

All San Antonians are invited to attend the march to help celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. Please do not bring animals to the event. For more information on the 2011 MLK March and Commemoration, visit www.sanantonio.gov/mlk.