The St John AARP Chapter prepares to serve
lunch at the annual Martin Luther King Day
celebration on St John

Steel pan performers from St John and St Thomas
take a break during Martin Luther King Day
activities on St John. Photos by Susan Mann

Numerous events were held by communities throughout the US Virgin Islands in celebration of the national Martin Luther King holiday this past weekend. The official day of recognition, January 15, was also observed by many businesses, schools, and government agencies.

On St Thomas the Pan African Support Group held a screening and discussion of the PBS film, "Citizen King." On Friday evening, as is the annual custom, the Hebrew Congregation of St Thomas honoured seven youths who are high school seniors, for their leadership roles in promoting the beliefs of Martin Luther King. The event was held at the historic Crystal Gade synagogue.

On the island of St Croix, the Central Labor Council Civil Rights Committee held a march and rally Monday, to commemorate three Virgin Islanders who are seen as "drum majors for justice" or community leaders for civil rights. Elected VI officials walked in the march. Other events were scheduled on "the big island" throughout the day.
 
"A Day of Rememberance" was the theme selected by the St John Interfaith Coalition. It was the sixth year the interfaith ceremonies were held; starting in Coral Bay with a community gathering, which was proceded by a motorcade to Cruz Bay where citizens participated in a march, and another ceremony. The program title of this year's ceremonies was "Rekindling the Dream."

Rudolph "Pimpy" Thomas, of Bethany Moravian church recited the famous Martin Luther King speech, "I have a dream." Students read excerpts from other King speeches, and leaders of the religous community addressed the audience. Attorney Alan Smith and Millicent Carpenter of the Baha'i Community, Father Charles Crespo, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic church, and Rev. Lillette George of Emmaus and Bethany Moravian churches represented religious organizations.   
 
Local choirs performed musical numbers, and the Love City Pan Dragons, Ceremonial Brass performed, as did the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program Band, which performed in the parade.

When asked what he believed Rev. Dr Martin Luther King would best be remembered for, Shermal Smith, a 10th grader at Charlotte Amalie High School on St Thomas, pictured 2nd row, wearing black hat, said, "For helping blacks get for our rights... I think he might be close to being President if he were alive today."

Kayla Anthony, an 11th grader at Eudora Kean High school, on the east end area of St Thomas, pictured 1st row, second from right, said she thought King would be remembered most for "his courage and bravery."

The audience of about 100 people, including tourists was invited to join with choir members in singing the familiar, unofficial civil rights anthem, "We shall overcome." Lunch was prepared and served by the St John, American Association of Retired Persons, with afternoon entertainment  provided by popular local music group, "Inner Visions."