Jan. 13, 2005 – The territory will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday with events throughout the islands.
St. Thomas celebrates King's life and times with a ceremony at Emancipation Garden. It begins at 10 a.m. Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of the Virgin Islands, the Rev. Jeff Gargano of St. Thomas Reformed Church, the Rev. Rochelle Lewis of Frederick Lutheran Church, and Rabbi Arthur Starr of the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas will participate in the ceremony.
Folksingers Kim and Reggie Harris and Rabbi Jonathan Kliger, known for their recording of Let My People Go, will perform. The recording is a Jewish and African American celebration of freedom.
The Hebrew Congregation and Gov. Charles Turnbull's office are coordinating the St. Thomas event.
On St. John, the Interfaith Coalition-sponsored event starts with a ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Guy Benjamin School basketball court. A motorcade will leave from Coral Bay for Cruz Bay at 10 a.m.
At 10:30 a.m., a band will lead a march from the tennis courts in Cruz Bay to Cruz Bay Park. A ceremony in the park begins at 11 a.m. The program is titled One Person Making a Difference.
The Rev. Charles Crespo said that the Rev. Hugh Chapman of St. Ursula's Episcopal Church will serve as the master of ceremonies. He said that St. John Administrator Julien Harley, V.I. National Park Superintendent Art Frederick and Sen. Craig Barshinger will make comments. Speakers include Alecia M. Wells, Gilbert Sprauve, Gene Emanuel, Guy Benjamin, Theodora Moorehead and Kim Lyons.
"A community luncheon will follow," Crespo said.
The St. John event also honors Rosa Parks.
On St. Croix the Central Labor Council is having its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day march on Monday at 10 a.m. from the United Shopping Plaza to the Island Center for the Performing Arts, where a rally will be held.

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