A special stage reading to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. in NDSU’s Beckwith Recital Hall. The event is open to the public and admission is free.

Excerpts from King’s “I’ve been to the mountain top” speech will be read to the audience. The celebration will be presented by the Office of Multicultural Programs, along with members of NDSU’s Department of the Performing Arts.

In his final speech, King called for unity, economic action, boycotts and nonviolent protests. He also challenged the country to live up to its ideals.

“Please join us for the event in Beckwith Recital Hall. King, who was a key civil rights pioneer, encouraged nonviolence and peaceful mass civil disobedience to change the fabric of the nation,” said Jaclynn Davis Wallette, multicultural program director. “King understood that peaceful demonstrations were the only way to guarantee that the cry for rights would be heard and answered. One of the issues the nation is currently grappling with is the need for people to come together to unify the country. This desire to unify people is one of the key tenets of Dr. King’s message.”

Light refreshments will follow the event.

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