Dearborn Students Plan MLK Day Event

DEARBORN, MI — High school students from across Dearborn Public Schools are inviting their peers and the public to an MLK Day of Service on Jan. 20. The event will run from noon to 4 p.m. at the Islamic Center of America, 19500 Ford Road Dearborn.

U. S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud, and Wayne County Commissioner Sam Baydoun are expected to attend. The afternoon will include speeches, but will focus on performing community service to help seniors in the community, both at the Islamic Center and at nearby St. Sarkis Towers, a senior apartment complex.

High school students from across Dearborn planned the first Real Dearborn March for MLK Day in 2016. The event was designed to highlight and embrace the community’s diversity and to fight negative representations on social media about Dearborn and its Muslim residents. The march meshed well with Dr. King’s message of inclusion and fighting hate with love. With assistance from the City of Dearborn, students continued to plan marches for two more years, despite the often inhospitable weather in January.

“I am very proud of our students for stepping up and organizing this event," said Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko. "It is a fitting tribute to honor Dr. King’s legacy and provides the students the chance to interact with and support the local community."

Last year, student organizers decided to take a new approach and used the event to focus more on community service. That tradition continues this year. This year’s MLK Service Day was organized by the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.

Those who are planning to attend Monday’s event are asked to sign up at http://bit.ly/dpsmlkday. More than 100 slots are available for participants.