City Officials Honor Martin Luther King Jr.
By Robin Vinci | Editor at January 22, 2024 | 9:00 am | Print
The Annual City Commemoration of the Life of Martin Luther King Jr., sponsored by Mayor Erin Stewart and the New Britain Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities took place Monday at Angelico’s Restaurant.
The event began more than 25 years ago by Former Mayor William McNamara and Alton Brooks. It started out in the 1980’s for city employees. It has grown into a wide ranging program that includes many invited guests including this year Attorney General George Jepson.
“When you grow up in a diverse City, it doesn’t take long to appreciate the wisdom of Dr. King. He is inspiration to myself and our New Britain community,” Mayor Stewart told the crowd of over 100 people. “He awakened our nation and ushered in historic strides and law. I am thankful that we set aside time to reflect on his message of equality and rededicate ourselves to the causes he believed in. I look forward to the day when everyone is judged by their character.”
Following an opening prayer by Father Israel Rivera, pastor of St. Mary’s Church and breakfast, attendees listened to keynote speaker Dr. Evelyn Newman Phillips, PHD, CCSU Professor, Co-Director, Center of African Studies.
Phillips spoke about the theme “Social Justice, Diversity and Equality.”
“He built a civil rights movement to a movement that looked at inequality based on income and class. He challenged inequality and believed in the power of non-violent mass action for the right of human dignity,” said Phillips. “Dr. King would tell us that race kills and he would remind of us of some of the people that race has killed.”
Phillips mentioned Dr. King himself, Emmitt Hill, Malcolm X, Travon Martin, four young girls in a Birmingham Church and many more.
“Race kills diversity physically and psychologically. It embeds a notion of superiority and inferiority,” Phillips said. “Young black kids believe that white dolls have more power.”
Phillips said race is a social construct based on people’s skin color.
“Race is the most challenging issue facing the United States. It is the problem of the 21st century. It is a virus like Ebola,” Phillips added. “We must attack it. Become disruptive. Kill it because all our lives depend on it.”
Following the speech New Britain Student Briana Babineaux danced to the song “I’ll be the One”. Three Slade Middle Students - Josieannette Marie Alejandro, Angalitza Romero and Aisha Sanchez read poems.
The program continued with a wreath laying service at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park and remembrance remarks from Rev. Gervais Barger, Pastor, Peace Missionary Baptist Church.
Rev. Barger urged everyone to help the homeless in the City through the Family Promise Program.
“I want to serve notice that yes we have come a long way, but because of affluence and because we made it this far, that sometimes we think that everything is done,” Rev. Barger said. “There are a lot of programs in this City that help the homeless. There are over 300 homeless families in the City.”
“Although we have made strides in achieving Dr. King’s dream, I know that we still have miles and miles to go in the fight to end racial hatred, inequality, and injustice,” added Mayor Stewart.
The program is made possible by Human Rights and Opportunities Action Officer Elba Mercado. It is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Inc; Gerri Brown-Springer; Maria and Mark Bernacki, the New Britain Municipal Employees’ CSA; Elizabeth Nknonki-Ward; Paul Shaker Funeral Home; Spottswood AME Zion Church, The Mary McLeod Bethune Club, Vira Moralita Riley and Ald. Willie Pabon.
Spottswood A.M.E. Zion Church also held a program later in the day featuring guest speaker Darwin Shaw.
