The Newtown Florist Club's annual Martin Luther King Day observance Jan. 15 will begin with a special program at St. John Baptist Church. According to a press release from the club, it will be held at 10:00 a.m., and will be followed by the annual march and youth rally.
The theme for this year’s observance is "Standing Up for the Cause of Decent, Affordable, Fair Housing and Affordable Health Care" for all.
"Why? Throughout Hall County many people don’t have a place where they can afford to live," the release states. "Some families are living in motels, shelters, cars, hidden in the woods and in places where kids suffer greatly. We believe that everyone should have a decent and affordable place to lay their heads at night."
On the question of health care: "We also know that there are many (both adults and children) who don’t have health insurance or may soon lose the coverage that they currently have. Thus, the lack of affordable housing and little to no access to affordable health care often result in cases of extreme hardship and matters of life and death. We call upon people of good will across the county to STAND UP! Do Something! Say Something!"
The keynote speaker at St. John's will be Rev. Stephen P. Samuel.
At noon, those planning to participate in the march are asked to assemble at the Butler Building on Athens Highway. The march will be followed by the youth rally which will be held at the Boys and Girls Club of Lanier on the east side of town at 1 Positive Place.
The events are a joint sponsorshiip with Sisters With A Purpose, the Grady Young Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of Lanier and the RHO ETA Brenau Chapter AKA’s.
