Boston rallies for peace in honor of Martin Luther King Jr

The Boston community gathered earlier today at Marsh Plaza followed by an event at Metcalf Hall to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

BU’s most famous alum graduated with a PhD in systematic theology in 1955.

Today, US poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera and a number of speakers will addressed the Boston community to honor his legacy.

The Rally for Peace was held on Marsh Plaza at 1pm followed by a Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. at the GSU at 2pm.

We live blogged the entire event as it happened.

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We asked Dean Kenneth Elmore to comment on today’s event.

“So I came to Boston University because of Dr. King. I came here as a graduate student knowing full well that Dr. King had been a graduate student here too. So part of my motivation for coming to Boston University was Dr. King. I think, for me, it’s just an honor that I can be at a place where such an iconic figure in American history- in global history was, and to be able to convene things like this. To me, it’s an honor, and I hope I can do it the honor it deserves. ”

15:50

The Celebration has ended.

15:48

Justin finishes by telling the crowd what Dr. King’s message means to him, love.

15:47

“We’re here to say thank you for his commitment to improving the country that we live in, to improving our lives”

15:45

Justin Flynn, QUES 17, delivers the closing remarks.

15:29

A performance takes place by an ensemble.

15:23

Reading his poem “Almost living almost dying”.

15:07

Juan Felipe Herrera reads from his work, Senegal Taxi.

14:47

The whole room joins in for a chant.

“We want beautiful peace”

14:41

The poet laureate get’s the crowd ready for a chant.

14:39

Juan Felipe Herrera talks about how he took choir so he could speak the truth.

14:34

Juan Felipe Herrera is the author of over 30 books. He begins to address the Hall.

14:33

President Brown introduces US poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera.

14:31

“The voices you hear today come from many traditions, nations, cultures and walks of life”

14:30

Next up is President Robert Brown.

14:26

Michael Damilola Aderibigbe begins to read the first poem.

14:25

“The work is not done but it has just begun” – Dean Moore

14:22

Dean Mary Elizabeth Moore asks for moment of silence to all those lost this year.

Metcalf Hall goes silent.

14:12

The Inner Strength Gospel Choir sings.

14:10

14:09

An empty chair is placed next to the podium.

“For those who could not be here with us”

14:06

Katherine Kennedy begins by welcoming the crowd.

14:02

The Celebration starts.

13:49

The crowd waits for the start of the event at 2pm.

13:39

13:36

A larger crowd of students and adults keeps growing in Metcalf Hall.

13:34

The program for today’s celebration.

13:30

13:29

The rally has ended at Marsh Plaza and people are heading to the GSU.

13:26

“You’re here because you are willing to face hard things past and present”

13:25

Dean Hill thanks the speakers and begins to address the crowd.

13:23

13:21

“We should try to live as he dreamed the world would be”

13:18

Dean Elmore introduces BU junior Ashley Guillaume (CAS’17)

“Let us not forget how far we still have to go”

13:15

A member of Dean Elmore and Martin Luther King’s fraternity speaks.

“March chapel is a place of healing, it’s no coincidence we’re here.”

13:12

Dean Elmore was in the same fraternity as Martin Luther King, Jr at BU.

13:10

13:06

13:04

Professor Abigail Gillman is the first to speak.

“We just got through a very dark semester”

Dean Elmore commences the start of the rally as people start to gather at Marsh Plaza