Rockville Centre honors MLK's legacy with village ceremony

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The MLK Community Center in Rockville Centre hosted a heartfelt ceremony on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, bringing together local leaders, community members and youth to celebrate the life and legacy of the revered civil rights leader. The event emphasized King’s ongoing message of service, unity and the pursuit of equality.

At the ceremony, Mayor Francis Murray pointed out to the audience a reminder of King’s visit to Rockville Centre on March 28, 1968, just days before his assassination.

“He said, ‘We are all the same, and if we wanted to succeed as a human race, we would have to come together and do so,’” Murray shared. “Who believes that unfortunately, eight days later, he was shot and killed. That visit to Rockville Centre was the last time Dr. King visited New York.”

He reminisced about “the life and legacy of a man who brought hope, healing to our nation” and encouraged the audience to honor his values and teachings.

Students put on performances, including singing, dancing and poetry reading. The event, organized by Patrick Morris and Sharon Sheppard of the community center, was not only a way to honor King but a celebration of African American history.

The ceremony included comments from Siela Bynoe, the newly elected New York State Senator, who reflected on her own childhood and the influence of King’s image and teachings. 

“I could remember back in Queens…a picture of Dr. Martin Luther King on the wall along with a cross, and so my parents used both of those symbols on the wall as ways to make sure that we remembered that Dr. Martin Luther King had done such marvelous work that had laid his life on the line out there at a time,” she said. “But it was challenging to stand up for people that were oppressed, stand up for people who were marginalized, and stand up for those who are underserved. And so it’s with that spirit I serve, and it’s with that spirit that I will continue to serve.”

Bynoe also challenged everyone in the audience to “find a way to make sure that you can make this community even better” in the spirit of King’s legacy.

Legislator Scott Davis was also in attendance, and he spoke about the enduring power of King’s message. 

“My message to all of you is…Look and ask yourself, ‘What can I do for others?’ he said, “and for all of us, that might be something a little bit different.”

The event was a reminder to the village of Rockville Centre of King’s continuing influence in society, with each speaker and performer encouraging the audience to reflect on how they can contribute to their community based on King’s teachings.