Hayward to honor legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with holiday march and musical tribute

HAYWARD, Calif., Jan. 15, 2020—A morning rally and march followed by an evening musical tribute will honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday in the City of Hayward.

The activities begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at City Hall Plaza, 777 B St., with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day March organized by South Hayward Parish.  Themed Immigration: Love Without Borders, there will be a rally, music and speeches, followed by a peaceful procession through downtown.

Later that day, at 4:30 p.m., Hayward’s 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration will commence at the Reed L. Buffington Visual & Performing Art Center at Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward.

Musical and spoken-word performances to be delivered in tribute to the great civil rights leader will include the Mt. Eden High School Choir, members of the Chabot College Forensics Team, the Cherryland Elementary School Dramatic Chorus, the Brett Hart Middle School Slam Poets, and the Mt. Eden High School Men’s and Chamber choirs.

The Dr. King Birthday Celebration began in Hayward in 1986.  In 1993, the event Planning Committee began honoring individuals who have contributed substantially to advancing Dr. King’s work and commitment to civil rights and social justice within the Hayward community.

That tradition continues this year with the presentation of the Planning Committee’s Community Award by Freddye M. Davis, president of the Hayward South Alameda County NAACP.

The evening, with former Mayor Michael Sweeney serving as master of ceremonies, will conclude with a sing-a-long led by the Mt. Eden High School Choir of “Happy Birthday,” as arranged by Stevie Wonder.