MAPLEWOOD/SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race hosted a celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and the towns’ commitment to racial integration and inclusion on Monday, Jan. 19. More than 600 people attended the 14th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Observance and Volunteer Fair at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, including local and county elected leaders, clergy, police and fire chiefs, and U.S. Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr.
Organized by the Coalition’s Interfaith Outreach Committee, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Baha’i and Ethical Culture leaders all played a role in the service and were in attendance in full force. This year’s speaker, Joseph Ford, a former United Methodist minister and a Civil Rights activist, spoke on his work with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, his efforts to register African-Americans to vote and his experience marching with King across the bridge in Selma. He warned the audience that the memories were painful; he experienced the violence done to protesters as well as witnessing the fear felt by people trying to fight for the right to vote.
The observance also included freedom songs led by The Bufford School of Music jazz ensemble, Voices in Harmony, singing Leonard Cohen’s “Alleluia,” led by Cantor Lippitz, an amazing rendition of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech by Kenny Vaughan and an affirmation by participating clergy, as well as student representatives from Columbia High School’s Diversity Rocks! club.
The annual Volunteer Fair followed the service; attendees participated in “instant impact” activities, such as assembling “toiletries for teens” packages and creating personalized books for the Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey organization. Donations were made to the MEND Food Pantry, Emily’s Hats and New Eyes for the Needy. Local service organizations also set up tables to encourage people to support their missions by volunteering throughout the year. During the weekend in other parts of the community, the rotary sponsored a blood drive and the South Orange Library had a family archive project.
Prior to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, volunteers from the coalition promoted the Luminaria Project — an effort to get residents to light luminaries in front of their homes on the night of King’s birthday as a communal demonstration of commitment to King’s vision of the “beloved community.” About 350 homes throughout Maplewood and South Orange lit up white luminary bags, many decorated with peace signs. Next year’s goal is at least 1,000 homes.