KINGSTON, R.I. – January 8, 2006 — The University of Rhode Island has planned a week of events in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Monday, Jan. 29 through Thursday, Feb. 1.
Several departments at the University have collaborated to produce and
sponsor the following series of lectures, discussions, videos, musical performances and other activities. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information, please visit www.uri.edu/mcc or call the Multicultural Center
at 401-874-2851.
Monday, Jan. 29
7 to 9:30 p.m. Interfaith Service.
Students from diverse religious communities will come together to share readings, stories, prayers, meditations, testimonies, songs, or dances from their respective sacred traditions to celebrate the life and work of Dr. King.
Co-sponsored by Anointed, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Office of the Chaplains, and the Multicultural Center. Multicultural Center, Hardge Forum, Room 101
Tuesday, Jan. 30
4 to 5:30 p.m. A Force More Powerful: A Century Of Nonviolent Conflict:”
A viewing and discussion of the film, “We Were Warriors,” One of a series of six documentaries describing the use of nonviolence and nonviolent social
movements. This film discusses the campaign to desegregate the downtown business district in Nashville, Tenn. during 1960 – an initiative regarded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as a model for the civil rights movement. Among the heroes of the Nashville campaign are: the Rev. James Lawson, Jr., Diane Nash, and Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Jr., now distinguished scholar-in-residence and director of the URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, and one of the great remaining leaders of the civil rights movement. Multicultural Center, Hardge Forum, Room 101
Wednesday, Jan. 31
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Unity Luncheon.
Keynote address by Swami Yogatmananda, minister, Vedanta Society of Rhode Island. Born in 1953 in India, Yogatmananda joined the monastic life at the Ramakrishna Order in 1976 and took his vows in 1986. After serving at Ramakrishna centers in India, he came to the United States in 2001 to serve as minister of the Vedanta Society. In addition to conducting Sunday services, he leads weekly study classes and organizes spiritual retreats. He also preaches regularly at the Vedanta Society of Massachusetts in Boston and lectures in India.
In addition, the University’s Fourth Annual MLK Peacemaker Award will be presented to a student, staff member, faculty, or a student organization whose goals and activities express their commitment to the pursuit of peace and nonviolence. Co-sponsored by the Office of the Chaplains, the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, and the Multicultural Center. Multicultural Center, Hardge Forum, Room 101
Thursday, Feb. 1
Noon to 1 p.m. Civil Rights Songfest led by URI’s own Cognitive Dissidents.
An interactive workshop led by two URI faculty members, Communications Studies Professsor Steve Wood, and Psychology Professor Paul de Mesquita, on guitars. They will invite participants to learn the meaning of the civil rights movement by singing its songs. Co-sponsored by the URI Cognitive Dissidents, the Memorial Union and the Multicultural Center. Memorial Union, Main Lounge
4 to 5:45 p.m. Kingian Nonviolence Workshop.
Facilitated by Lt. Richard Tarlaian, formerly with the Providence Police
Department, and a certified trainer in Kingian Nonviolence. He is also a co-director of Camp Anytown, which provides summer recreational activities in a rural setting for economically disadvantaged city children. In addition, he is also a key staff member of Kids, Inc., an educational program for Providence children excluded from school for behavioral issues. Co-sponsored by the URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies. Multicultural Center Hardge Forum, Room 101
The events are sponsored collaboratively by: the Multicultural Center, Division of Student Affairs, the Office of the Chaplains, the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, the Memorial Union, the Cognitive Dissidents, Anointed, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, the Department of Political Science, and the African and Afro-American Studies Program.