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 6th 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 15th, 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.
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.
— 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
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)
