Oakland celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day with music and community service
on January 22, 2013
Festivities commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day were in full swing Monday with dozens of Oakland residents celebrating the holiday and the national day of service. At McClymonds High School in West Oakland, several hundred people watched performances by local singers, dancers, and musical groups at the 15th annual MLK National Holiday Celebration.
Just a few blocks away, at 27th Street and Market Street, Oakland group Urban Releaf hosted its 5th annual MLK tree planting event. Close to 100 people were on hand, volunteering to plant trees while enjoying live music, dancing, and horse and pony rides provided by Oakland Black Cowboy Association.
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- A volunteer shovels dirt onto a newly planted tree at the Urban Releaf event near Market St. and 28th St.
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- Before planting trees, dozens of volunteers paraded around the block to the drum beats of several bands.
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- Urban Releaf brought volunteers out to plant nearly 20 new trees.
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- The Mixcoatl Anahuac Aztec Dancers led volunteers in traditional dances.
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- The Mixcoatl Anahuac Aztec Dancers led volunteers in traditional dances.
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- The volunteers danced down Market St to 29th before the planting of the trees commenced.
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- The event, put on by Oakland non-profit Urban Relead, planted a total of about 20 new trees in the West Oakland neighborhood.
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- The Oakland Black Cowboy Association was on hand giving free horse and pony rides.
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- At the McClymond’s High School event, 4th grader Ja’zzier Pierre recited King’s “I have a dream” speech.
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- The Oakland Spirit Orchestra, featuring the MLK Elementary School Choir, led the audience in a few spirited songs.
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- Several performances took place, including dance numbers by Ballet Folklorico De Frank Zapata.
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- Children in the audience at McClymond’s respond to a rap performance by Tyrese Johnson.
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