A youth forum, musical tribute, and keynote address are just some of the events being held this weekend in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. Augustana College and The King Center in Rock Island will hold several public events celebrating the life and work of the civil rights leader.
Organizer Samuel Payan is the Director of Multicultural Student Life at Augustana. He says celebrating Dr. King is just one goal of this weekend's events.
"It's a reminder of the struggles that people have done in the past, people who have sacrificed the ultimate price, so a person like myself or someone who would be historically marginalized is able to have the access and privilege to be in the positions we are right now."
Rather than just "celebrate," Payan says the events are meant to "commemorate" both the work of Dr. King and civil rights efforts that continue today.
"Celebration is kind of off-putting at times, because that gives the connotation that the work has been done already when it's always 'chipping away at the rock.'"
Augustana will host four on-campus events open to the public beginning on Saturday. A full list may be found here.
The King Center will host its 34th annual Memorial Service and Award ceremony on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 16, at 10:30 am.