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Photos: Captain America, Patti Smith Join OWS Vigil For MLK At Riverside Church
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 16, 2012
Modified Jan 16, 2012
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 16, 2012
Modified Jan 16, 2012
Share
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Several hundred people packed into the historic Riverside Church last night for an Occupy Wall Street vigil honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. The event featured performances by Patti Smith, Steve Earle, Stephan Said, Global Block, and St. Christopher's Gospel Choir, among others. Russell Simmons, civil rights attorney Norman Siegel, Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr. and Sumumba Sobukwe addressed the crowd.
Riverside Church was chosen for the event in part because it was where King gave his stirring "Beyond Vietnam" speech in 1967, and portions of the speech were projected on a screen last night. According to photographer Ellen Moynihan, Occupy the Hood representative Malik Rhasaan noted during his speech that "the Occupy movement was built on the back of" King. Indeed, King believed that economic justice was crucial to his vision of equality for all.
While she wasn't present, a statement from Yoko Ono was read, and Moynihan notes that the "performance by the St. Christopher’s Gospel Choir ended the evening, creating a revival-like atmosphere and inspiring an impromptu dance party to emerge from the pews and crowd the front of the church."
An Occupy the Dream march from the Financial District to Madison Square Garden is currently underway.
Tagged
economic justice
equality
Jr.
martin luther king
mlk
occupy wall street
patti smith
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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