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Patti Smith To Perform Tonight At OWS Vigil For MLK
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 15, 2012
Modified Jan 15, 2012
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 15, 2012
Modified Jan 15, 2012
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As part of a worldwide candlelight vigil tonight honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., Riverside Church in Morningside Heights is hosting performances by Patti Smith, Steve Earle, Stephan Said, Kozza Olantunji Babumba, and will include "inspirational words" from Yoko Ono, Russell Simmons, and Norman Siegel. The event, as envisioned by Stephan Said, begins at 7:00 p.m. as the protesters amass outside the church. The performances begin at 8:00 p.m. in the nave.
Riverside Church is where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his stirring "Beyond Vietnam" speech on April 4, 1967. The press release for the event, and the entirety of Dr. King's speech that day is below.
In over 45 Cities Worldwide, New York City Hosts Major Celebration: a Procession from St. John the Divine to Riverside Church to Build Global Movement. Vigils In Australia, Africa, Europe, and Across the U.S.A.
Occupy Wall Street calls #J15 its biggest initiative of 2012, an initiative aimed to unite movements across the globe. Autonomously organized, people everywhere are lighting candles as an expression of non-violence calling for a more equitable global economic system. The New York City celebration will be The Riverside Church—the renowned church where Dr. King gave his historic “Beyond Vietnam” speech, Sunday, January 15 at 8:00 p.m. in the Nave.
The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. when hundreds of Occupy Wall Street activists will amass outside of and process from St. John the Divine to Riverside as part of a global candlelight vigil honoring Dr. King. Beginning at 8pm, The Riverside program features performances by Patti Smith, Steve Earle, Stephan Said (the event's envisioner), Kozza Olantunji Babumba, as well as inspirational words of Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Yoko Ono, Russell Simmons, Reverend Stephen H. Phelps, Daisy Kahn, Norman Siegel, Sumumba Sobukwe, Malik Rhasaan, religious leaders and activists.
Vigils are taking place from Brisbane, New Zealand to Tahrir Square, Glasgow, Scotland to New Orleans. In Atlanta, Dr. King's nephew Isaac Farris, Jr. and the SCLC host a vigil at SCLC headquarters with college students. In Tucson, Arizona, Gabrielle Gifford's former District Director and shooting victim Ron Barber and his wife Nancy to have entire crowd join them at Tucson State Theater event with Ben Folds and others performing.
Tagged
civil rights movement
Jr.
martin luther king
mlk
morningside heights
occupy wall street
patti smith
peaceful protest
protests
riverside church
yoko ono
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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