Martin Luther King Jr. Day

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader of the modern American Civil Rights Movement from December 1955 - April 1968, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a Federal holiday (established in 1983) that marks his birthday.  The holiday is observed on the third Monday of January each year.  As a champion of equality for all, Dr. King is widely regarded as one of the greatest non-violent leaders in world history.  Sadly, Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.

Message from Lewiston's Former Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Melissa Hue

Dr. King was an individual who exemplified great courage, leadership, advocacy, strength, integrity, and patience in a time where one's value was dictated by origin and skin color. Dr. King advocated for love beyond flesh, "Our skin may differ but affection dwells in black and white (all people) the same."

The fabric of American history cannot be quilted without the legacy of Dr. King, along with the many others who braved suffering to change systems that were not built for them but by people who sought to oppress them. His insightful words and poetic speeches from “I Have a Dream” to “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” were blueprints as much as they were love letters that highlighted themes of unity, equality, and equity to a country capable of creating communities that nourish each and every individual's dignity and self-respect. 

Dr. King spoke of just systems and always upheld the power of empathy as well as the healing that comes with compassion, in all of its simplicity, as a way to move forward. However, we must not forget that these beautiful words were a consequence of acts that, in 2023, may be too heinous to face and too heavy for our hearts to carry. Nonetheless they occurred. 

To that end, the City of Lewiston celebrates one of the many famous quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a theme for 2023: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” To acknowledge this, the City of Lewiston will be lighting the clock faces of City Hall's tower to symbolically represent these words--letting the love of all of our residents of every race, gender, color, and creed shine through. The City of Lewiston celebrates its rich diversity and the collective work our community does to create belonging and unity.

The Lewiston City Hall, 27 Pine Street, tower clock faces will be brightly lit the evening of January 13 through the evening of January 16, 2023.

Items of Interest:

Mayor Carl L. Sheline's Jan. 13, 2023 Proclamation - Recognizing MLK Day

Bates College Art & Activism Remembrance

Watch Films About Dr. King on KANOPY

Stanford University Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute

The King Center