Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations planned Monday

(ABC 6 News) – The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “We Have a Dream” celebration will take place on Monday, Jan. 16 at Mayo Civic Center in downtown Rochester.

The annual community event is scheduled to be from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with additional community-wide activities planned after by the Rochester branch of the NAACP.

The celebration is to remember the legacy and honor the lasting impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who played a significant role in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968.

A schedule of the days events is below:

• 8:30 a.m. – Breakfast
• 9:00 a.m. – Welcome, start of program
• 9:35 a.m. – Poetry reading
• 9:55 a.m. – Featured keynote speaker, Kevin Lindsey (MN Humanities Center)
• 10:15 a.m. – Call to action
• 10:25 a.m. – Closing remarks

Additional events hosted by the Rochester branch of the NAACP are below:

• 10:30 a.m. – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom March Rally (first floor of Mayo Civic Center)
• 11:30 a.m. – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom March
• 12:00 p.m. – Community Peoples Program (Rochester Civic Theater)
• 1:00 p.m. – Commemorative Celebration and Birthday Party (Rochester Civic Theater)

The event is put on by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, Rochester Branch of the NAACP, and the Diversity Council.

Riverland Community College in Albert Lea will also host a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Monday, Jan. 16 at 5:00 p.m.

The program will consist of a performance by select members of the Albert Lea High School choir, the awarding of MLK Scholarships to two Albert Lea students, and a keynote speech by Ron Wagner, superintendent of Albert Lea Schools.

The event is open to the public. Live music with free pizza and cider will be served.