HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2018-01-05 MLK celebration
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
January 5, 2018
Media Contact:
Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer
barnett@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
26th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Scheduled for
Monday, January 15, 2018
Leesburg, VA (January 5, 2018) –
The Annual Martin Luther King, Jr.
March and Celebration will be held
on Monday, January 15, 2018. The
theme of this year’s celebration is
“Unity, Not Hate.” Keynote speaker
will be Pastor Michelle Thomas,
founder of Loudoun County-based
Holy and Whole Life Changing
Ministries.
The Loudoun County MLK
Celebration will begin a symbolic
march from the Loudoun County
Courthouse to the Douglass Community Center. After marchers assemble on the courthouse
grounds (18 West Market Street), Pastor Thomas will offer an invocation at 10:15 a.m.
Marchers will proceed from the courthouse on East Market Street to the Douglass Community
Center (405 East Market Street). Individuals, families, churches, and community organizations
are invited to participate and walk together during the march.
East Market Street, from King Street to Church Street, will be closed at 9:30 a.m. in preparation
for the march. Once the march begins, the eastbound lanes of East Market Street, from Church
Street to the Douglass Community Center, will be closed to traffic. Cross streets will reopen
once the march has cleared each intersection. Drivers should follow police direction and be
prepared for minor delays.
There will be a “Love to Unity” community dialogue between youth and elders from 9:00 a.m.
to 10:00 a.m., at the Douglass Community Center. For those who are unable to join the march,
refreshments and entertainment will be offered at the community center following the
community dialogue. Pastor Thomas will present her keynote address at 12:00 p.m. after the
march has concluded.
The founding sponsors for this event are the Loudoun NAACP, Douglass Alumni Association,
Bluemont Concert Series, and the Baha’i Community of Loudoun. Individuals, families, schools,
businesses, civic and religious organizations are all welcome to participate. For more
information, contact Tammy Carter (571) 331-4721, Kimberly Etherith (703) 314-1491, or Lily
Dunning (540) 539-5651.
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