WHAT: “Laying of the Wreath” honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a salute to Rev. Dr. James Young and his lifetime commitment to serving humanity with a Proclamation officially declaring January 18, 2013 as “Rev. James S. Young, Sr. Day”
WHEN: 10:00AM -11:00AM on Friday January 18, 2013
WHERE: Martin Luther King Jr .Plaza on Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL
WHY:
On the heels of MLK Jr. Day 2013, Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr., the Chairman of the Board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) – founded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -- is visiting Pensacola, Fla. The revered and renowned “General” of the “Freedom Riders”, Dr. LaFayette, Jr. will be the keynote speaker at the University of West Florida’s Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday event.
Dr. Lafayette, Jr. says, “The BP oil spill damaged and demoralized the entire Gulf Coast area. Now more must be accomplished to correct the plethora of problems caused by the horrific crime. The BP oil spill wiped out countless numbers of small businesses and left hundreds of thousands of Gulf Coast area residents jobless and homeless. The poor and underserved residents and business owners have suffered a more disproportionate and even greater devastating impact. Many people who made less than $25,000 a year remain helpless, without BP reparations. Many small churches are simply dying as a result. BP has not made any attempt to assist these groups.”
SCLC Chairman, Dr. Lafayette also points out that “SCLC icon Rev. James Young [original SCLC Pensacola Chapter founder] was the inspiration that spurred the resurgence of the Pensacola SCLC Chapter these past five years, through the leadership support of Past President Art Rocker.”
This visit by Chairman Dr. LaFayette, Jr. marks the first time national SCLC leadership has been in the Gulf Coast Area on or near the MLK Holiday. Art Rocker, as Special Assistant to the SCLC National Chairman states, “We are elated to have a civil rights icon of Dr. LaFayette’s stature in Pensacola. Rev. James Young initiated the first SCLC Chapter in the Gulf Coast region over 50 years ago. He not only started the Pensacola SCLC Chapter, under the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but he led every successful nonviolent, civil rights-human rights movement in the Pensacola area during that time and has had a tremendous impact with minister-organizing in the entire Gulf Coast Region.”
“Rev. James Young is being honored during this 2013 MLK holiday for being a faithful servant to the community and serving and connecting with all people, regardless to their character, race or creed. This preacher is a true servant.”
