Wednesday, April 4, 2018
The Office of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno in conjunction with Bishop Talbert Swan, President of the Springfield branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) hosted a remembrance ceremony in honor of the late Civil Rights Leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 50th anniversary of his death this afternoon.
“For those who scorned this courageous and visionary leader – now monuments, schools, streets and scholarships are named in his honor. It’s important that we mark this unfortunate 50th anniversary of Dr.... Martin Luther King, Jr. being taken away from us all,” said Mayor Sarno. “I thank NAACP President Bishop Talbert Swan for cohosting this event to keep Dr. King’s legacy going strong. May God rest his soul.”
The program included remarks from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno; Bishop Talbert Swan; Minister Johnnie Muhammed of Muhammed’s Mosque #13; Rev. Jason Seymour of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield; Rev. Paul J. Starnes of Morning Star Baptist Church; Rev. JP Morgan, Jr., President of the Pastors Council of Greater Springfield; Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro Rabbi Emeritus from Sinai Temple; Archbishop Timothy, President of the Council of Churches of Western Massachusetts; Mr. James Lightfoot of Alpha Phi Alphi Fraternity; and a musical selection from Vanessa Ford and oratory selection by Nasiya Yates.