MANCHESTER, NH — Paul Doolittle, a community activist from Derry, will receive the 2016 Martin Luther King Award on January 18 at the 34th annual Martin Luther King Day Community Celebration being held at Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Manchester.
“As an advocate for immigrants and refugees, Paul Doolittle has not only spoken up but has offered the use of his farm for members of the state’s Bhutanese community to raise vegetables. He has helped with tools, training, transportation, even helping them find places to hold meetings,” said Eric Zulaski, chair of the Martin Luther King Coalition, the group that sponsors the annual event in honor of Dr. King.
The Martin Luther King Coalition has held its celebration every year since 1983, typically involving awards, music, a potluck meal, and a guest speaker. This year’s guest speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Arthur Hilson, pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church in Portsmouth. Dr. Hilson was the winner of the Coalition’s Martin Luther King Award in 2000.
Governor Maggie Hassan will offer brief remarks and lead the annual “Let Freedom Ring” ceremony.
A special award will go to the Bhutanese Community of New Hampshire in honor of its work on behalf of families who were forced out of their homes in a state-sponsored campaign of ethnic cleansing and have found new homes here in the Granite State.
“At a time when the numbers of refugees from armed violence is at an all-time high,” Zulaski said, “We see a connection between the spirit of Dr. King and those people who counter violence with acts of love and compassion.”
The Celebration will also feature performances by the Central High School Jazz Band and awards to middle school students who entered the Martin Luther King Arts and Writing Contest.
The Martin Luther King Coalition is made up of area religious, educational, and labor groups which seek to honor Dr. King and the importance of his legacy for those who are involved in efforts to strengthen democracy, improve race relations, and promote social justice and peace.
The Martin Luther King Day Community Celebration begins at 2 p.m. with a potluck meal and social hour. The program will start at 3 p.m. and go to about 5 p.m., when it will end with the singing of “We Shall Overcome.” Russell and Jackie Weatherspoon of Exeter will be the emcees. The program will be interpreted for the deaf by students from UNH.
Admission is free and open to all. For more information, visit www.mlknh.org.
