Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of the slain civil rights leader and a civil rights activist himself, helps the city of Oakland kick off this month long celebration by appearing as the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony Friday.

The younger King continues his late father's battle to rid the world of social, political and economic injustice. He is instrumental at The King Center -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change -- based in Atlanta, Ga. He also is involved with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and has become one of the country's most impassioned voices for the poor, oppressed and needy.

The lunchtime rally also includes performances by the Allen Temple Men's Choir and the Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church's Mass Choir, as well as Dorothy Morrison singing "Oh Happy Day." The Destiny Art Center performs a dance- and spoken-word piece, and Oakland youths will read excerpts from some of King's speeches.

Information about other community events that make up "Oakland Celebrates the Dream" -- such as walking tours, musical tributes, a peace rally, and prayer breakfast -- will be available, as will information on how to volunteer.

The kick-off rally is from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday in Frank Ogawa Plaza, at 14th Street and Broadway, in front of Oakland City Hall. Inclement weather will move the celebration into the nearby Elihu M. Harris State Building, 1515 Clay Street, Oakland.

For more information, call (510) 444-CITY or visit www.oaklandnet.com/celebrations.

The Oakland Tribune: Cityside
Leanne McLaughlin, Managing Editor
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