The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at a press conference in 1964. (Source: Library of Congress)

“True peace,” wrote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his memoir Stride Toward Freedom, “is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”

In light of renewed scrutiny of civil inequity and social injustice amid national Black Lives Matter protests, King’s heartfelt fight for justice is a legacy that will be reflected upon and continued in this year’s Chippewa Valley Martin Luther King Remembrance Celebration.

From noon to 8:30pm on Monday, Jan. 18, locals can tune into a day of virtual programming that commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., according to a media release from Uniting Bridges. The event will be streamed on Perigon through the Pablo Center at the Confluence (pablocenter.org), and portions of the event will be broadcast on Converge Radio 101.9 (convergeradio.org).

“This event will bring together area residents to celebrate their commitment toward a more united community enriched by its diversity,” the media release says.

Artists from the Pablo Center’s multimedia exhibit “Black Lives Matter: Silence is Violence” will speak on their work, and later, Converge Radio will pay tribute to King through a musical performance called “We’re Still Dreaming,” which includes portions of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Local community leaders will also speak on the Transformation Project, a regional anti-racist initiative that “seeks to create an inclusive and affirmative community for all people,” according to the Pablo Center website.

A full schedule of events includes:

12pm – Welcome and reading of the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”

12:15pm – Live Panel: How does the history of the Ku Klux Klan in the Chippewa Valley affect us today?

1pm – Discussion: Antisemitism and Racism

1:35pm – Transformation Project, presented by Eau Claire City Council President Tery Weld

2pm – Live Panel: Race and Religion

3:45pm – Discussion: Race, Civility, and the First Amendment

5pm – Conversations in Color: ABCs of Racism

6:05pm – Presentation: Fighting Disinformation

7pm – Converge Radio Presents: We’re Still Dreaming

Organizers and sponsors of the event include Uniting Bridges, Pablo Center, Converge Radio 101.9, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Eau Claire Office of the Chancellor, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of Affirmative Actions, UW-Eau Claire History Department, Visit Eau Claire Foundation, City of Eau Claire, UW-Stout, Eau Claire Police Department, the City of Altoona, among others.

Check out more information about the event and register to watch on the Pablo Center’s website.