Well-known pastor to deliver MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech at Boise rally
The Rev. Percy “Happy” Watkins, pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church in Spokane, Washington will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Martin Luther King Jr.- Idaho Human Rights Day celebration.
The rally begins at noon Monday, January 21, on the second floor of the Statehouse rotunda in Boise.
Rev. Watkins is widely known in the Northwest for his powerful rendition of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which he will deliver at this year’s celebration followed by a trumpet solo by Boise State University Director of Bands Marcellus Brown.
The late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his now-famous “I Have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963 from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during a march on Washington D.C. (pictured)
The Monday event in Boise is open to the public and is directed by the Idaho Human Rights Commission. The celebration is also sponsored by the Ada County Human Rights Task Force and the Idaho Human Rights Education Center.
Idaho Black History Museum President Phillip Thompson, as the master of ceremonies, will introduce Lt. Gov. Brad Little to formally proclaim Idaho’s 26th annual observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth on Jan. 15, 1929.
The trumpet fanfare by Marcellus Brown and Boise State University students will open the celebration, which will include a Girl Scout color guard from Farmway Village Troop 457 of Caldwell and Boise Troop 44.
The Common Ground Community Chorus are scheduled to perform “The Declaration/People Everywhere Just Want to be Free” before Dr. Jill Gill introduces Rev. Watkins. The youth rock group, Boise School of Rock, will also “Rock the Rotunda” with a performance.
The drum and singing ensemble, Global Lounge Group, will perform on the steps of the Statehouse to welcome marchers from Boise State University, who will hold a short rally before moving into the rotunda.
Boise Peace Quilters will display a peace quilt amid the information tables staffed by community partners.
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