It would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 84th birthday on Jan. 15.
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 Monday in honor of Dr. King.
Albany
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Watch the 57th Presidential Inauguration with your neighbors on big-screen TV at the Albany Community Center, 12:49 Marin Ave. Free. While you are there, check out the center's Commitment to Serve resources, contacts and ideas, and make a pledge to serve your community this year. Donations of coats and canned food items are being accepted at the center, too.
El Cerrito
9:30 a.m. A Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Department of Motor Vehicles, 6400 Manila Ave., and ends at El Cerrito High School, 540 Ashbury Avenue. A rally at the High School Performing Arts Center starts at 10:30 a.m. and includes singing, speeches, music and entertainment.
Berkeley
10 a.m. to Noon. Participants will walk from Jefferson Elementary School, 1400 Ada St., to King Middle School, 1781 Rose St. A celebration of King's life will be held inside the auditorium there.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. LifeLong's Community HealthCorps program is holding the "We Dream: A Community Health Fair" at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, located on 1924 Cedar St. (at Bonita Avenue).
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.
Don't see an event on this list? Tell us in the comments section below!
