But, his son told hundreds gathered beneath the watery skies of Oakland today, a great deal is left to accomplish.

"For every year that we come to this point, there are questions that are raised," Martin Luther King III said. "The question is: Have we really achieved the dream of Martin Luther King Junior? We certainly have not achieved that dream. Not yet."

King came to Oakland to launch what is scheduled to be several weeks of events honoring his father's 75th birthday, officially recognized on January 19; the month-long celebration is hosted by the city's Cultural Arts and Marketing Department and SBC Communications.

Martin Luther King Junior was shot and killed April 4, 1968, in Memphis. The civil rights leader had fought to bring equality and justice to black Americans and others who felt abandoned by the system. Today, his son worked to continue that effort.

He urged people to educate themselves and then use the knowledge to better their lives and the lives of those around them. Be the best you can be, he said, regardless of who you are.

"When we work together, we will be successful," he said.

The event, held in front of City Hall downtown, featured a gospel choir and speeches from Mayor Jerry Brown, City Council members and others.

Upcoming events include Rhythmic Concepts Inc. and the Oakland Jazz Choir's "In the Name of Love," a third annual musical tribute and celebration held in King's honor, at 7:30 p.m. January 18, at the Calvin Simmons Theater, 10 Tenth Street. The multi-media event features Linda Tillery, the Cultural Heritage Choir, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and Oakland Jazz Choir.

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee will deliver the opening remarks and the mayor will present the first Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award to a community member. For ticket information, call (510) 287-8880 or visit www.oaklandjazzchoir.com.

For information on the month-long series of events call (510) 444-2489.

The Contra Costa Times
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