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Fresno’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration back in-person and online. List of events

By Larry Valenzuela

The 38th annual events to honor and remember slain civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began Friday in Fresno and are being held both online and in-person.

Last year’s events were online only due to COVID-19 concerns. This year, the commemoration of Dr. King’s birthday kicked off with an opening garlanding ceremony on Friday and continue with numerous events throughout the week.

FRESNO MLK UNITY COMMITTEE EVENTS

Most MLK Unity Committee events can be accessed via one Zoom link and the same Zoom ID: 870 4811 5825.

People can also access the events via the Fresno Martin Luther King Unity Committee Facebook page and the City of Fresno Facebook page.

Friday, Jan. 14

11:45 a.m. Opening garlanding ceremony at Fresno County Courthouse Park (at MLK Memorial Bust, on the west side of park facing Van Ness Avenue). Welcome by City Council President Nelson Esparza, Councilmember Miguel Arias. Remarks by Fresno County Schools Superintendent Jim Yovino. Featuring special guest speaker Mayor Jerry Dyer.

6 p.m. Awards Ceremony & Community Reception at Fresno City Hall.

Saturday, Jan. 15

9 a.m. Virtual: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Program can be viewed on Clovis Police Department’s Facebook page @ClovisPoliceDepartmentCalifornia.

6 p.m. MLK Candlelight Peace Vigil at Fresno City Hall. Candles will be provided.

Monday, Jan. 17

9:15 a.m. MLK Community March from St. John Cathedral, 2814 Mariposa St. Marchers assemble at 9:30 a.m. March begins at 10 a.m., stops at City Hall then proceeds to Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

11 a.m. Virtual: Commemoration Program on Martin Luther King Unity Committee Facebook page and City of Fresno Facebook page.

Other Fresno MLK events

Thursday, Jan. 13: West Fresno Ministerial Alliance Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration presented by Moving Unity Forward Committee.

Thursday, Jan. 13: Fresno County students MLK speech contest.

Sunday, Jan. 16, 3 p.m.: MLK Thematic Exploratorium Program, “Relive the experience of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church!” Fresno Martin Luther King Unity Committee Facebook page and City of Fresno Facebook page and on Zoom (ID: 870 4811 5825).

Friday, Jan. 21, noon: Dr. King Commemoration, Fresno State Peace Garden on Maple Avenue.

Madera MLK event

Monday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m.: Madera Coalition for Community Justice Martin Luther King Day Celebration in Madera along with representatives from the community.

4 1/2-year-old Evelee Swint reaches out to touch the bronze bust of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., held by her mother Kyla Mitchell, after the garlanding ceremonies to the kick off the 38th annual events to remember and honor the slain civil rights leader, at Courthouse Park, Friday Jan. 14, 2022.
4 1/2-year-old Evelee Swint reaches out to touch the bronze bust of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., held by her mother Kyla Mitchell, after the garlanding ceremonies to the kick off the 38th annual events to remember and honor the slain civil rights leader, at Courthouse Park, Friday Jan. 14, 2022. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com
Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, bottom left, Congressman Jim Costa, left, and Mayor Jerry Dyer, lay carnations at the bust of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,during garlanding ceremonies to the kick off the 38th annual events to remember and honor the slain civil rights leader, at Courthouse Park, Friday Jan. 14, 2022.
Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, bottom left, Congressman Jim Costa, left, and Mayor Jerry Dyer, lay carnations at the bust of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,during garlanding ceremonies to the kick off the 38th annual events to remember and honor the slain civil rights leader, at Courthouse Park, Friday Jan. 14, 2022. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com
Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor gives directions to dignitaries for laying the garland at the bust of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during ceremonies to the kick off the 38th annual events to remember and honor the slain civil rights leader, at Courthouse Park, Friday Jan. 14, 2022.
Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor gives directions to dignitaries for laying the garland at the bust of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during ceremonies to the kick off the 38th annual events to remember and honor the slain civil rights leader, at Courthouse Park, Friday Jan. 14, 2022. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com
Youngsters from the King African-American Dance Troupe perform during ceremonies to the kick off the 38th annual events to remember and honor the slain civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Courthouse Park, Friday Jan. 14, 2022.
Youngsters from the King African-American Dance Troupe perform during ceremonies to the kick off the 38th annual events to remember and honor the slain civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Courthouse Park, Friday Jan. 14, 2022. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com
Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor speaks during ceremonies to the kick off the 38th annual events to remember and honor the slain civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Courthouse Park, Friday Jan. 14, 2022. Kapoor is the chair and one of the founders of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Committee of Fresno, since its inception in 1984.
Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor speaks during ceremonies to the kick off the 38th annual events to remember and honor the slain civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at Courthouse Park, Friday Jan. 14, 2022. Kapoor is the chair and one of the founders of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Committee of Fresno, since its inception in 1984. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com

This story was originally published January 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM.

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