In keeping with Highlander’s long history of support for the civil rights movement, and our ongoing work for civil and human rights, members of our staff participated in a variety of events related to Martin Luther King Day in February.
- On January 17, Tufara Waller Muhammad, Highlander’s Cultural Organizer, participated in the Martin Luther King Day events at the Martin Luther King National Historic Site Visitors Center in Atlanta. Tufara made a cultural presentation as part of the King Holiday Paul Robeson Peace Program, and led the closing song at the 5th Annual King Holiday Human Rights Symposium.
- January 18, Elandria Williams, a member of Highlander’s Education Team, spoke on a panel entitled “Counting the Cost of Militarism,” which was sponsored by the Oak Ridge Peace Alliance and held at the Beck Cultural Center in Knoxville. Over 80 people attended the discussion. For more details, see OREPA’s February 2008 newsletter at www.stopthebombs.org/newsletters.php.
- On January 22-23 and January 30-31, 2008, Elandria Williams and Anasa Troutman, coordinator of Highlander’s Development and Communications Team, were featured guests at the University of New England (UNE) as part of UNE’s Martin Luther King Celebration, “Constructing Democracy.”
- On January 22-23, Elandria visited UNE’s University Campus in Biddeford, Maine. She delivered a keynote address on “Constructing Democracy,” led a discussion on “Racism and Oppression in our Community?” and facilitated a “Leadership for Activism” Workshop.
- On January 30-31, Anasa visited UNE’s Westbrook College Campus in Portland, Maine. She delivered a keynote address on “Why We Can’t Wait,” and facilitated workshops on “Initiating Conversations: Tools for Change” and “Engaging Communities through the Arts.”
A program for the UNE events is available online at www.une.edu/studentlife/multi/multicultural/mlk.asp.