The Urbana Park District is hosting the Martin Luther King Day Peace March on April 4, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. The march takes place on the 56th anniversary of the civil rights leader’s assassination.
Originally scheduled for January 15th (King’s birthday), the event was postponed due to weather. The Peace March will now be on April 4 going forward.
People can meet at King Park (915 W. Wascher Drive) at 5:30 p.m. Tim Bartlett, Urbana Park District Executive Director, will read a Call to Peace, followed by remarks from Mayor Diane Marlin and Michael Walker, Urbana Park District Commissioner. Barbara Jones, Urbana Rotary Club President, will unveil a new work of art – the Peace Post by artists Lisa Kesler and JaNelle Davenport-Pleasure. Davenport-Pleasure, the former Urbana Poet Laureate, will give a peace message followed by a peace message from Urbana Police Chief Larry Boone.
The group will then march (or ride) over to the Douglass Center in Champaign. At 6:30, Champaign Park District Executive Director, Sarah Sandquist, will read a Call to Peace. Mayor Deb Feinen and others will make remarks. There will be a Peace Focus from Urbana Free Library and a MLK Exhibit at the Douglass Center. The event will conclude at 7 p.m. Busses will take people back to King Park in Urbana, as needed.
Everyone is welcome to attend! Media wishing to cover the Peace March before or during the event may contact Jameel Jones, Outreach and Wellness Manager, at (217) 367-1544.
