Idaho's annual Martin Luther King Jr.-Idaho Human Rights Day celebration in the state Capitol on Monday will feature the Rev. Percy "Happy" Watkins, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Spokane, as keynote speaker; he'll perform his rendition of King's "I Have a Dream" speech, which will be followed by a trumpet solo by Boise State University Director of Bands Marcellus Brown. Lt. Gov. Brad Little will read a proclamation, and there will be musical performances, a color guard, exhibits and a Boise Peace Quilt display. The annual event is set for the 2nd floor rotunda of the Capitol at noon on Monday; click below for more information from the event's sponsor, the Idaho Human Rights Commission.

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 15, 2013

 

Rev. Percy “Happy” Watkins to Speak at King Day Celebration

 Rev. Percy Happy Watkins, pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church in Spokane, Wash., will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Martin Luther King Jr.- Idaho Human Rights Day celebration.

Rev. Watkins is widely known in the Northwest for his powerful rendition of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which he will deliver at this year’s celebration followed by a trumpet solo by Boise State University Director of Bands Marcellus Brown.

 The event begins at noon Monday, Jan. 21, on the second floor of the state Capitol rotunda. It is open to the public and is directed by the Idaho Human Rights Commission – a division of the Idaho Department of Labor. The celebration is also sponsored by the Ada County Human Rights Task Force and the Idaho Human Rights Education Center.

 Idaho Black History Museum President Phillip Thompson, as the master of ceremonies, will introduce Lt. Gov. Brad Little to formally proclaim Idaho’s 26th annual observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth on Jan. 15, 1929.

 The trumpet fanfare by Marcellus Brown and Boise State University students will open the celebration, which will include a Girl Scout color guard from Farmway Village Troop 457of Caldwell and Boise Troop 44.

 The Common Ground Community Chorus will perform “The Declaration/People Everywhere Just Want to be Free” before Dr. Jill Gill introduces Rev. Watkins. The youth rock group, Boise School of Rock, will also “Rock the Rotunda” with a performance.

 The drum and singing ensemble, Global Lounge Group, will perform on the steps of the Statehouse to welcome marchers from Boise State University, who will hold a short rally before moving into the rotunda.

 Boise Peace Quilters will display a peace quilt amid the information tables staffed by community partners.

 The Human Rights Commission enforces the laws that make it illegal to discriminate against people in the workplace, housing, public accommodation and education because of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability and age.

  

Idaho Human Rights Commission

Pamela Parks, Administrator

Estella Zamora, President

Hyong Pak, Vice President

Ruthie Johnson

Joe B. McNeal

Sheila A. Olsen

Megan Ronk

Brian Scigliano

Andrea Wassner

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