PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have turned 92 years old on Friday. To celebrate the acclaimed civil rights leaders' federal holiday on Monday, dozens of groups are planning virtual and outdoor events.
Usually on the Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service, about 150,000 people participate in volunteer projects throughout the region. This year, because of the pandemic, lead organizer Todd Bernstein says far fewer can take part in that work.
"I think there will be thousands, and tens of thousands, of volunteers, but a lot of those projects will be virtual," says Bernstein, Founder of Global Citizen.
He says the signature event, at Girard College, which in past years hosted 5,000 volunteers and 100 projects, is scaled down to one service project. He says they’ve teamed up with the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium to provide free drive- and walk-up coronavirus testing from 9 a.m. to noon.
"Mr. Luther King and what they stood for — rain sleet or snow they were out there," says Anton Moore, founder of Unity in the Community, a South Philly nonprofit.
They’re holding an MLK Brunch and Resource Fair at 30th and Moore streets from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The group will give away food boxes, jackets, sneakers and more to a community racked by gun violence.
"This community needs hope," says Moore.
Community activist Brandon Chastang has teamed up with anti-violence activist @NoGunZone to host a Prosperty and Peace Rally on Monday at noon at the Art Museum steps.
"A lot of us have lost people not only to COVID, but also to gun violence," Chastang said. "We lost relationships, jobs, everything -- so it’s imperative that we come together and rejoice with each other."
The Philadelphia Commission for Women is holding a virtual event on Zoom focused on violence against women and ways to cope during the pandemic.
"We want to do a love fest," Executive Director Jovida Hill said.
Other events include virtual museum exhibits and online chats about race, civil rights, women in politics and more. There’s also a criminal-record expungement clinic, virtual art projects and other activities.
Following is a list of MLK Day of Service events for Jan. 18, 2021:
Global Citizen MLK Day of Service Event
Girard College
2101 S College Avenue
9 a.m. - 12 p. m.
The overall theme is "Justice & the COVID-19 Health Crisis." The main event will be free drive-through and walk-in coronavirus testing. The Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium will conduct the tests between 9 a.m. and noon. More details at MLKDayofService.org.
Free food distribution in Philadelphia (organized by Global Citizen & Philabundance)
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
2800 W. Cheltenham Avenue
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Brewerytown Sharswood Community Civic Association
3000 Master St.
9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Keep It Real CDC
5906 Lansdowne Ave.
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Medical Reserve Corps training
Training online
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Register online
The Department of Public Health is hosting training to prepare volunteers to help during the pandemic. Medical Reserve Corps volunteers may be deployed during major emergencies, such as natural disasters, as well as events like political rallies and marathon races. All volunteers must participate in at least one training, exercise, or deployment per year.
Anti-Violence Events
"I Have a Dream" Brunch and Resource Fair
30th and Moore streets
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Unity in the Community is teaming up with other organizations to spread resources throughout the Grays Ferry Community and provide hope for the residents who have been plagued by gun violence. To be given away: free food boxes, brand-new jackets and sneakers, pajamas, lunch for the community, resources and more.
Philadelphia Rally for Prosperity and Peace
Philadelphia Museum of Art front steps
12 p.m.
Instagram activists @B.mcfly_ and @NoGunZone join forces to take their online anti-violence efforts to the streets. A couple-dozen speakers, community resources, business owners and others will gather, social-distanced style, for a rally to stop gun violence and promote prosperity.
Free expungement clinic
Meets online
1 p.m.
State Rep. Joanna McClinton and State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams Jr. host a free criminal-record expungement clinic. Register online.
Arts and Culture Events
"John Lewis: Good Trouble" screening, presented by the African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch Street
12:30 p.m.
The African American Museum in Philadelphia will hold its first virtual MLK Weekend Celebration. Events will take place Saturday through Monday, including a special screening of the acclaimed documentary "John Lewis: Good Trouble."
National Liberty Museum events
Events online throughout the weekend
The National Liberty Museum offers a full calendar of virtual events for kids and families, including Drag Queen Storytime: Activism Then and Now, Standing Up, No Matter How Small and Liberty Learning Live Art Workshop. Details online.
Museum of the American Revolution events
On site at 101 S. 3rd Street, and online
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Museum of the American Revolution will provide both on-site and online programs to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There will be a free jazz concert on the museum's YouTube channel, sponsored by the Philadelphia Jazz Project. The museum is also hosting a special exhibition, "When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776-1807," which explores the stories of women and people of color who first pioneered the vote in Revolution-era New Jersey. It is included with regular admission and is now available as an online experience.
National Constitution Center free classes
Classes meet online
The National Constitution Center is offering free, virtual classes on the civil rights movement. For the week of Jan. 18, students, teachers, and lifelong learners can explore the civil rights movement, the Warren Court, and landmark laws enacted by Congress like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Details online.
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” at Eastern State Penitentiary
Hosted online
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site will commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a free, virtual program Students, educators, artists and activists will read and discuss Dr. King’s landmark text “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and will share music, poetry and art inspired by King’s legacy. Details online.
Politics & Gender
Surviving Violence Against Women
Hosted online
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Join the Philadelphia Commission for Women on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to hear the compelling lived experiences of survivors of violence and share strategies for coping during COVID-19. Register online.
Chaos or Community: How Black women leaders in politics and community are shaping our collective tomorrow
Event online
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
IF Lab Presents "In The Lab," a virtual discussion hosted by Little Giant Creative. The topic: Chaos or Community: How Black women leaders in politics and community are shaping our collective tomorrow. Guest speakers are Pa. Rep Joanna McClinton and City Councilmembers Cherelle Parker and Jamie Gauthier. Register online.