I just received notice of this celebration of a momentous anniversary, and wanted to share it with those of you who live nearby:

Honoring Rosa Parks

On Thursday, December 1st at 7:00pm, there will be a Celebration of Justice and Freedom honoring the 50th anniversary of Rosa Parks’ December 1, 1955 refusal to give up her seat on the bus. All are welcome to join us – children, youth and adults – as we seek to be sure that our history is not forgottten and that its message of hope remains a part of our present and future.

Our speaker will be Dr. Jibreel Khazan, who was one of four students whose request to be served at a “whites only” lunch counter at Woolworth’s in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1960 sparked a national movement that ultimately led to the end of segregation. That lunch counter is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute – Dr. Khazan’s picture is in textbooks across the country. Dr. Khazan and his family have lived in New Bedford since 1965.

We will sing the songs that gave voice to our hunger for justice and freedom – and offer new music that tells this important story.

Please join us at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, located at 635 Purchase Street, on the corner of Purchase and School Streets in downtown New Bedford. There is parking behind the church, which can be accessed from either School or Pleasant Streets.

A flyer is available at www.puccnb.org/Parks%20Poster.pdf For further information, please call Pilgrim Church: 508-997-9086.

I hope to make it to this event, and perhaps I’ll see some of you there.