Published On: Tue, Jan 19th, 2010

Boca Raton pauses to honor memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

BOCA RATON – With prayers, speeches and songs, Boca Raton Monday honored the birthday – and the memory – of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

But recollections of the slain civil rights leader didn’t end at the conclusion of the ceremonies held in the Mizner Park Amphitheater. The city is sponsoring other events throughout the month to memorialize Dr. King

Actually, family events to celebrate Dr. King and his dream of freedom, equality and dignity for all people kicked off Jan. 4 at the Boca Raton Community Center with the opening of an exhibit of the paintings of James Gibson, which will be on display for the entire month of January.

Gibson is one of the Highwaymen, a small group of African-American artists who painted Florida landscapes during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.

On Monday, participants gathered early in the morning at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial adjacent to Ebenezer Baptist Church.  The Rev. Henry Willis, former pastor at Ebenezer Church, led the program.

The group then marched to Mizner Park Amphitheater for a series of activities that lasted through midday.  Events included performances by the Kenya Safari Acrobats, the Avenue D Boys Choir and Banyan Creek Elementary School Drumline.  Richard Harmon delivered a message of remembrance.

The Naval Junior ROTC corps from Boca Raton Community High School conducted a presentation of the colors; led the flag salute and National Anthem and performed an unarmed drill team demonstration.

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