Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events in Oakland and Nearby

It would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 80th birthday on Monday.

Many communities are holding events this holiday weekend to honor the slain civil rights leader who, among other things, organized boycotts against racially segregated bus systems in the South and led the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.

King was president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was Time magazine's Man of the Year in 1963. He was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

From 1957 until his death in 1968, King traveled 6 million miles and delivered more than 2,500 speeches.

Here are some of the events being held in the East Bay on today and Monday in honor of Dr. King.

SUNDAY, JAN. 20

Noon to 3 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Day family celebration at the Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St. All ages. Winners from the Oakland Unified School District’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Festival will present their poetry. 

Noon to 4 p.m. MLK Day of Service at Dover Street Park, 5707 Dover St. Neighbors will come together and make their garden dreams a reality. Activities include a potluck, skill sharing, garden fun and community building in partnership with Phat Beets Produce Market. For more information, contact Peter Collier, Community Gardening Coordinator, at (510) 238-2197.     

MONDAY, JAN. 21

Emeryville

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A celebration will be held at Anna Yates Elementary School, 1070 41st St. Arts, activities, dancing, music, student performances and a barbeque lunch will be part of the event.

Piedmont

11:30 a.m. Annual potluck and commemoration of Dr. King's life, with entertainment by the Oakland Youth Chorus and Oaktown Jazz and a screening of Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech.

Oakland

8:30 a.m. to noon. The East Bay Regional Park District will host a day of service in honor of Dr. King. Volunteers should meet at the Oak Port Athletic Field, 5734 Oakport St. Volunteers will help park district employees with invasive plant removal.

9 a.m. A volunteer event will feature a bird walks led by Golden Gate Audubon docents. It'll be held at Martin Luther King Regional Shoreline Park.

9 a.m. to noon: A food drive is being held in honor of Dr. King's efforts to end poverty. Canned goods can be donated at the Alameda County Food Bank, 7900 Edgewater Drive.

10 a.m. to noon. A multicultural peace celebration will be held ILWU Warehouse Hall #6, 99 Hegenberger Road. Speakers, including Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and the Rev. Byron Williams, will highlight the event.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: A shoreline cleanup will be held in honor of Dr. King. Participants should meet at Garretson Point parking lot at the end of Edgewater Drive. Volunteers will clean up and help restore Damon Marsh, Damon Slough, Arrowhead Marsh and Martin Luther King Jr. Grove.

10 a.m. to noon. A "Make The Dream Real" celebration will be held at Taylor Memorial Church, 1188 12th St. Sacred drumming will be performed along with performances from young artists.

Noon to 3 p.m. A "Green the Block" service day will be held at the Crossroads Collective Cafe, 942 Stanford Ave. Treats from the cafe will be provided for volunteers who install planter boxes and benches in the neighborhood.

Noon to 5 p.m. A birthday celebration and economic, health and peace fair will be held at Star Bethel Church, 5800 San Pablo Ave. The focus is living a healthy, peaceful life.

12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. A theater matinee will be held at the African American Museum and Library, 659 14th St. A collection of films will be shown commemorating the life of Dr. King.

7:30 p.m.: A preinaugural gospel concert will be held at Star Bethel Church, 5800 San Pablo Ave. It will feature gospel artist Jonathan Nelson and local artists.

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