ONEONTA – Reginald Brunson’s rendering of the “I Have a Dream” speech and clarinetist Robin Seletsky’s original composition, “Rise Above,” will highlight Martin Luther King Day commemorations 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, at Temple Beth El, 83 Chestnut St.
Organized by the Oneonta Branch, NAACP, those marking Dr. King’s 90th birthday will be Mayor Gary Herzig, the NAACP’s Lee Fisher, the USCT’s Harry Bradshaw Matthews, Temple Beth El’s Ken Sider and Fair for All’s Christina Hunt.
The theme, “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere,” was central to King’s 1963 “Letter from the Birmingham Jail.”
Reginald Brunson, Hobart, delivers his rendering of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech at this afternoon’s MLK Day commemoration organized by the NAACP, Oneonta Chapter, at the St. Mary’s Church this afternoon. At Right, Mayor Gary Herzig takes to the podium to read a Oneonta City Proclamation, remarking “Fifty years after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we find ourselves withe a President who is a racist. I feel that this is the time where every community, no matter how small, needs to speak out and do what is right.” The annual celebration featured a large selection of talents with music from LadyJam, DJ Wooden, St. Mary’s Choir, Eight Is Enough, and the Steve Fabrizio Jazz Ensemble as well as keynote speaker Dr. Luvelle Brown, superintendent of Ithaca Public Schools, Gary Stevens, and remarks from NYS Attory General Eric Schneiderman to name a few. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Mayor Gary Herzig listens to Reginald Brunson’s recitation of “I Have a Dream.” (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
ONEONTA – The NAACP hosted the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration at the Unitarian Universalist Church this afternoon.
The celebration included inspirational speakers and musicians with a special talk by Hartwick College Professor Harry Bradshaw Matthews, who spoke on Dr. King in the context of “The Freedom Journey.”
The afternoon included an anticipated perennial: The recital of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech by Reginald Brunson, Hobart.
Reginald Brunson, Hobart, delivers his rendering of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 