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)