Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Environmental and Social Justice Festival

 

NEW HAVEN - The state  Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will co-sponsor the 19th annual two-day family festival, "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Environmental and Social Justice,"  from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 18  and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 19, according to a release.

The festival is free and will be held  at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave. It "will focus on environmental and social justice, civil rights, nonviolent advocacy, equality of resources and community enrichment," the release said..

“For almost 20 years, DEEP has co-sponsored this Family Festival that honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and recognizes his life-long actions and determination for social justice in the world,” said DEEP Commission Robert Klee, also in the release.  “This celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has become a real tradition and targets families and children, offering a wide variety of educational activities that set the stage for a lifelong commitment of engagement in social and environmental justice practices.” 

 

"The two days of educational activities for families and people of all ages and backgrounds include performances by members of the New Haven community and from around the world, including music, poetry, children’s storytelling and dance," the release said

Also in the release: "The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Environmental and Social Justice Family Festival has grown during the last 19 years, with attendance increasing from 1,400 visitors the first year to more than 5,500 last year.  Activities are for adults and children of all ages, including teens. For further information contact the Yale Peabody Museum at (203) 432-6646 or visit www.peabody.yale.edu/events

More (all per the DEEP release):

Teen Summit

In addition, on Sunday, January 18, 2015, from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. the Yale Peabody Museum will host their free 6^th annual Teen Summit celebrating the legacy of Dr. King, Jr.  In this interactive event, teens from all over Connecticut will come together to showcase their talents to promote social and environmental justice.  Submissions, due by January 15^th, will be accepted in the forms of oratory, spoken word, video and essay. All teens are welcome to attend the Teen Summit. Participation in the showcase is encouraged, but not required. FREE pizza with registration, certificates of participation, service hours, and prizes are included.   

To register and for more information visit http://peabody.yale.edu/events/teen-summit

Background on Environmental Justice

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. strove to raise awareness about urban environmental issues and public health concerns that disproportionately affect communities of color. While these issues have not disappeared, progress has been made in many places to bring such inequalities to light and to improve living and working conditions.

Environmental justice is based on the principle that all members of a society have the right to clean air, water and soil, as well as a right to live in communities where they can raise their families in healthy and nurturing natural environments. Further, environmental justice includes a guarantee of equal access to relief and the possibility of meaningful community participation in the decisions of government and industry.

The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History thanks the following for their generosity Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Yale Office of New Haven and State Affairs, Subway and Stop & Shop.

Schedule at the Yale Peabody Museum:

Sunday, January 18, Noon to 4:00 pm

World Stage Performances (Great Hall of Dinosaurs)

1:00                      Neighborhood Music School Premier Jazz Ensemble

2:00                      Nation Drill Squad Youth Program

3:00                      Kouffin Kanecke Company — Traditional West African dance and drumming performance

Auditorium (3rd Floor)

12:00–3:30          6th Annual Teen Summit

Monday, January 19, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

World Stage Performances (Great Hall of Dinosaurs)

11:00                    Pan Jam and Lime Steel Band

12:00                    Solar Youth Drummers

12:15                    Tarpukay Peruvian Art & Culture

1: 00                     Brian Jarawa Gray and Friends

2:30                      Michael Mills — Drumming performance and drum circle finale

Auditorium (3rd Floor)

11:00–12:00       Zannette Lewis Environmental and Social Justice Community Poetry Open Mic
— An opportunity for people of all ages to share their original poetry or rap and speak their minds on issues of justice and injustice. Pre-registration required.

12:30–4:00          Annual Invitational Zannette Lewis Environmental and Social Justice Poetry Slam
Invited Poetry Slam Participants: J-Sun, Influence, So`re Agbaje, Chilo, Anthony Ragler, Roya Marsh, Yadira Delariva, Porscha Olawiyola, Thomas Fucalaro, Mind Evolution, Ms Reign, Nichole Acosta, Michael Chief Patterson, Jashua Sa Ra, Chelsee Johns, Venessa Marco

 

Directions: In New Haven, Connecticut, take Exit 3 off Interstate 91 (either north or southbound) onto the Trumbull Street connector, and make a right turn at the second intersection onto Whitney Avenue (follow the posted signs to the Yale Peabody Museum). The Museum is located at 170 Whitney Ave., at the corner of Whitney Avenue and Sachem Street, one block north of the intersection of Whitney Avenue and Trumbull Street.

Parking: Weekend parking is free in all Yale University parking lots.

 

In the photo: Richard Yanowitz of Hamden stops to look at literature in the Great Hall of Dinosaurs at the Yale Peabody Museum during the 18th Annual Dr. King’s Legacy of Environmental & Social Justice family festival Sunday. (Arnold Gold - New Haven Register)