M a r iin L u th e r K ing J r .
January 9, 2008
*
Local Peace Activists
Inspired by King's Work
m akers today, "A nation that “take a look around you and imag
continues year after year to spend ine what it would be like to have
peaceful negotiation and conflict more money on military defense equality in the way that Martin
than on programs of social uplift Luther King dreamed. No matter
resolution techniques.
The effort is aimed at creating is approaching spiritual doom ." what your race, age, gender, eco
The Peace Alliance effort has a nomic standpoint is, everyone
practical programs and principles
of peace-building, to take the field network of volunteers in all 50 states wants to live in peaceful neigh
of peace-building from the m ar working to urge lobbyists, help borhoods, have their children
gins of political and societal d ia fundraising efforts, get donations, safe at school and not have to
logue and make it a factor in speak to the public and spread the build their houses into fortresses.
policym aking, investm ent and word through outside organizations We all can agree with that and
understanding. The department and schools. The grassroots move make it a platform for discussion
w ould achieve this p rim arily ment is growing rapidly. Its website to begin making a change.”
through a massive public-educa
tion, outreach and citizen-lobby
ing effort.
“ Dr. M artin L uther K in g ’s
teachings about civil rights and
equality took time to root into our
culture. It d id n ’t happen over
night. Some d id n ’t believe it
would happen at all," says Bryan,
“this effort is possible but it will
take time and participating people
to achieve.”
The cam paign is aimed at the
inequality that is still in our soci
ety today, issues that include eco - Ken Bryan, campaign coordinatorfor
nomics, social prejudices and the the creation of a U.S. Department of Peace
environm ent.
“We are approaching peace in
To learn more about how to get
the same way as Dr. King did, by is receiving 60,000 to a million hits
working to lift up the poorest per month. There are 42,000 sup involved in the Peace Alliance
among us so that our neighbors porters of the movement nation you can visit their w ebsite at
are secure econom ically and re wide and supporters of the organi w w w .thepeacealliance.org and
sources are shared. There can ’t zation have sent over 25,000 letters c lic k on A ct N ow ! or v isit
be peace unless equality is among to a variety of members of con dopcam paign.org. Ken Bryan can
gress, not counting postcards, be c o n ta c te d at k e n d b ry a n
all o f us,” says Bryan.
@yahoo.com for inform ation on
O neofD r. Martin Luther King's phone calls and emails.
volunteering
and events in the
"Now is a great time to rise up
famous quotes is being echoed
Portland
area.
by the Peace Alliance and peace and demand change," says Bryan,
continued
Page BS
2008 s p e c ia l edition
from HI
Now is a great time? to rise up
and demand change...take a
look around you and imagine
what it would he like to have
equality in the way that Martin
Luther King dreamed.
His
not
His
not
voice has
faded.
light has
dimmed.
Martin Luther King, Jr. stood up for the dignity
of each individual and demonstrated the
power of many individuals working together.
He spoke to our better selves with words of
hope and encouragement.
When the journey was hard, he led us further
down the road and invited all to join in.
Many years ago, this one man brightened the
future for generations to come. His message
still calls out to us, and his actions live on.
The City of Portland, City of Vancouver, Multnomah County,
and Metro honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by
striving to promote equality and opportunity for all people. Our
goal is to foster employee diversity through workforce training
and hiring and to support economic development for minority-
owned, women-owned, and emerging small businesses.
Please contact the staff members identified below about X
contracting and consulting opportunities.
City of Portland
Greg Wolley, Bureau of Purchases
(503) 823-6860, gwolley@ci.Portland.or.us
Jimmy Brown, Water Bureau
(503) 823-3028, jbrown@water.ci.Portland.or.us
Richard Gray, Transportation Bureau
(503) 823-5250, richard.gray@pdxtrans.org
City of Vancouver
Anna Vogel, (360) 619-1032
anna. vogel@ci. Vancouver, wa. us
Multnomah County
Jin Huang, (503) 988-5111 x28763
jin.y.huang@co.multnomah. or.us
Metro
Angela Watkins, (503) 797-1816
watkinsa@metro.dst.or.us
PHOTO BV R AVMONI) RENIIEEM AN/T h E P o K T I. AM )O BSER VER
Pastor Lamar Hardy sees Martin Luther King as an inspiration not only to himself, but also to
many fellow preachers.
Living a Renewed Dream
continued
from HI
lenges, however. “If I go out here
and start telling the truth, people
don’t like that," Hardy says. "M ar
tin Luther King knew they were
going to come after him lor the
\d\ciiisc
m
truth."
Hardy references some of King's
final words that have been subject
to much speculation.
“ Like anybody. I would likelo
live a long life longevity has its
place,” King said in his I've Been
to the M ountaintop speech, the
last before he was assassinated.
"But I'm not concerned about
that now. I just want to do G od’s
will."
Hardy says, “When God gives
you a work to do, one must do it."
ni) <Iiversity in î,!,^ iîn rtla n b (O b se rv e r
M
etro
F I O R II FLACIS
Call 503-288-0033
a d s# portlandobservci.com
O F F N S FA C fS
i
. , 'l I J( I