Group calls to make Jan. 15 legal holiday

A group of Saipan-based African-Americans have set up preparations to commemorate on Monday the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a historic figure in the nation’s battle against inequality and discrimination among all peoples.

While the rest of America takes a federally-pronounced holiday to pay its respects to the famed activist and civil rights leader who would have celebrated his 71st birthday on Jan. 15, CNMI’s African-American community laments the lack of local recognition to revere Dr. King’s continuing legacy.

Although proclaimed a national holiday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not considered an official holiday in the Commonwealth.

The 2001 African-American History Committee yesterday asserted efforts to push for the “reinstatement” of Jan. 15 in the CNMI as an official MLK holiday after the local government reportedly desisted its observance some years ago.

“Much as we hate to use the word “discrimination,” this is the only term that would describe why all other federal holidays are honored locally except Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And this is a decision that we all have to make as a people if we intend to join hands and be in union with our brothers and sisters in this world,” said Dr. John Joyner, Vice Chair of the African-American History Committee.

To highlight the group’s third MLK Day celebration in the Marianas since 1999, the Committee has invited the presence of renowned civil rights advocate and activist Clara Luper to keynote Monday’s event.

Ms. Luper, also a civil rights legend in her own time, has been in the front line of civil rights protests and marches together with Dr. King. She has been arrested and jailed 26 times as she fought for her beliefs.

“Ms. Luper came from the grass roots rural, poor farming family. She has strived to get an education. She has lead the first widely publicized sit-in in America’s history by forming a small group to perform a nonviolent demonstration,” said the committee chair, Atty. Joe Hill.

The 77-year-old retired teacher will arrive on island from Guam on Monday and will make several appearances around the community.

Moreover, the committee has lined up a special affair to commemorate MLK Day at the Pacific Islands Club, the program’s sponsor, at 6 p.m. where Ms. Luper is expected to deliver a speech and entertain questions about the significance of the MLK holiday.

“This is a time when we group together to reflect on what MLK has done for us. He was a civil rights leader who worked for the oppressed. And we do have many oppressed individuals here on the island. We’re pushing for civil rights…what it is to be an individual, to be born and do what you want to do, and to do it as an equal person,” said Robert Russell, a committee member.

“The whole concept is based on the idea that everybody should experience a level of equality which obviously in the world that we live in, majority are not experiencing that. And MLK’s voice was so powerful that he initiated a lot of revolutionary changes. Here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, we’re trying to continue to advance the ideals of MLK so that all peoples of all races and nationalities can be united,” echoed Sam Joyner.

“A day on, not a day off” is this year’s MLK day theme. Mr. Hill explains the significance of the theme involves the act of constantly working towards the fulfillment of the “dream,” as described by Dr. King, without let up.

“Instead of doing nothing, it means to be active, to talk about it and keep on reminding people…and keep the dream alive,” he said.