Virtual, in-person events planned all weekend for MLK Day

SEATTLE — For the past couple of years, most events and activities honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the weekend of MLK Day have been held virtually. This year, while some online workshops are still planned to reach the broadest audience possible, many in-person events are scheduled in the days leading up to MLK Day on Monday, Jan. 16. Masks and social distancing are encouraged for all these indoor events.

Following are some that may be of interest to union members and community supporters in the Seattle area. Check your local newspaper/news outlets for additional events in your area, like these reports in the (Everett) Herald and the union-busting (Vancouver) Columbian.

FRIDAY — APRI Seattle invites all to “Defending the Working Waterfronts Against Privatization, Militarization and Gentrification” from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13 at the Seattle Labor Temple, 5030 1st Ave. S. This MLK Day labor and community workshop will feature special guest speaker the “real” Clarence Thomas, retired Oakland longshoreman. Get details.

SUNDAY — Seattle youth organizers have embarked on a journey to create a visual experience to let the community know what they are experiencing. This year the MLK Day Youth Event event will be streamed via Rainier Avenue Radio’s YouTube channel on Sunday, Jan. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. Get details.

SATURDAY — The Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition is an all-volunteer organization composed of grassroots, labor, business, people of color, and progressive community organizations and volunteers from throughout the Puget Sound region. During the pandemic, the coalition began producing online workshops and found an additional audience. Those efforts will continue in 2023 with several virtual workshops featuring expert panelists in a webinar format — all free-of-charge and suitable for all ages and interests.

Those online workshops have already been under way this week, but will continue on Saturday with workshops on media literacy, Cuba’s new family laws, and anti-racist practice in early childhood education.

MONDAY — The Seattle MLK Coalition is urging all to join the in-person workshops planned Monday morning at Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave., before the rally and march. They are all from 9:30 to 10:50 a.m. and there are many to choose from: the Washington NAACP Youth Council on racism in public schools, four Black women talking about community healing, making the case for reparations, bystander intervention, a community-led advocacy update, Husky football players discussing racial justice, an overview of Wa Na Wari and the CACE 21 project, and on storytelling.

MONDAY — The 2023 MLK Day Rally and March will begin at 11 a.m. indoors at Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave. in Seattle. The march will depart from the school at 12:30 p.m. The exact march route will not be shared publicly in advance due to concern for safety and security. Get details.