WEST HARTFORD, CONN(WTIC RADIO)-Keynote speaker Department of Children and Families Commissioner Vannessa Dorantes
extolled Civil Rights Pioneer Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, saying he'd be happy that people of color hold prominent position representing the town locally and at the state government level.
Those positions include the Board of Education, Police Department and the State House of Representatives.
The commemoration was held to mark Dr. King's 94th birthday on Sunday.
Dorantes has advocated for human rights during her career as a public servant. She was named Commissioner in 2019.
She posed this question to West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor. "Do you think young Martin would be pleased to see what's in this room(the West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium).I think he would. I think West Hartford is a shining example of what's possible when we see people for people. When we recognize the importance of all people...he would see that West Hartford is possible."
Senator Richard Blumenthal said, as just one example, Dr. King fought for the sanitation workers in Memphis , just prior to his assassination.
"You could desegregate the lunch counter but it didn't mean anything if you didn't have money to buy lunch. You could desegregate public transportation. But getting on the bus didn't mean anything if you didn't have the fare or a job to go to."
The event also featured speeches by students Afaf Albur and Zella Jackson and musical performances by the Conard High School Jazz Combo, Hall High School Choraliers and King Philip Middle School Singers.
