04-04-08
#10
Mayor
Young commemorates legacy of Civil Rights Leader Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
On Friday, April 4th, Mayor Clinton Young, Jr. declared
a day of remembrance in the City of Mount Vernon to pay
homage to the legacy of slain civil rights leader Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Forty years ago, Dr. King was
slain while standing outside the Lorraine Motel in
Memphis, Tennessee. While reflecting back on his former
neighbor and friend, Mayor Young said Dr. King inspired
him to pursue a career in public service.
"On April 4th, 1968, we lost a man who literally
changed the consciousness of the entire world," said
Young. "His spirit of non-violence and community service
has inspired me throughout my adult life. His legacy
reminds us all to remain vigilant against hate and
bigotry – more importantly to memorialize Dr. King's
dream for future generations."
Young marched with King during the Selma to Montgomery
civil rights march in 1965. Years later, as Vice Chair
of Westchester's Board of Legislators Young spearheaded
a seven year mission to create a memorial on behalf of
the county to pay tribute to his hero and mentor, the
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. In April 2007, Young
unveiled a 12-foot bronze statue of Dr. King on the
plaza in front of the Westchester County Courthouse in
White Plains.
With the support of Board Chairman, Bill Ryan (D-White
Plains) and Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano,
the statute displays Dr. King holding a Bible under his
other arm and sits on a 6-foot base adorned with one of
Dr. King's most prophetic quotes, "Injustice Anywhere is
a Threat to Justice Everywhere."
Mayor Young requested a moment of silence in all City
buildings in remembrance of and in honor of Dr. King.
04-04-08
#9
Oscar
Nominee Ruby Dee Kicks off the Westchester Arts
Council’s Liberty Series
Oscar nominee and civic leader Ruby Dee kicked off the
Westchester Arts Council’s Liberty Series, inspired by
the restoration and unveiling of the fully
restored ‘Freedom Mural,’ which graces the east wall of
its Grand Banking Room space. The mural’s themes of
liberty and freedom resonate as strongly today as in
1929 when it was first painted, and serve as inspiration
for this season’s series of spoken word performances -
the Liberty Readings.
Oscar nominee Ruby Dee performed a one of kind show
at the Arts Exchange on Thursday, February 7th.
It was the first of three events in a new
‘Liberty Readings’ series at the Arts Exchange. The
theme for the event was: ‘Overcoming Injustice &
Oppression.’
The Arts Exchange is located at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue in
downtown White Plains.
In the show, Dee performed a vibrant range of readings
from historic and recent literature, including excerpts
from the recent book she co-authored with her husband,
the late Ossie Davis, With Ossie & Ruby: In This Life
Together for which they jointly won a Grammy award.
Dee was joined by Tonya Gonnella Frichner, a
Manhattanville College professor who specializes in
social justice and human rights; and also by outstanding
blues guitarist Michael Hill.
Liberty Readings explores essential elements of
the American democratic experience as performed by major
actors, actresses, and producers that live or work in
Westchester. During a series of three presentations,
these luminaries will explore the vital role that
freedom of expression and the struggle to attain social
justice have meant in American history. Through readings
from well known literary works and essays, complemented
by personal stories, each presentation will address a
different theme.
The LIVE series was made possible thanks to the
generosity of Entergy Nuclear Northeast, the Jacob Burns
Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts;
with special thanks to Jacqueline & Arthur
Walker, State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and our
media partners.
New York
State Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, Mt. Vernon Mayor Clinton
Young, and Lawrence Salley, Commissioner, Westchester
County Department of Transportation.
(l to r) Mack Carter, Chairman of the Juneteenth
Festival, with
Westchester Arts Council Executive Director Janet
T. Langsam.
(l to r) Stephen Dishart of Swiss Re and New York State
Assemblyman Richard Brodsky present a Westchester Arts
Council Arts Alive Grant to Kojo Ben-Reuben of the Obey
Foundation.
