RUTLAND COUNTY — In recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 18, the College of St. Joseph and Castleton University will host a variety of programs free and open to the public, to encourage reflection on the life and work of Dr. King.
At CSJ, this year’s theme is “Now More Than Ever” and offerings include lectures, community engagement, discussions and more.
“Ferguson Firsthand” will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, in Tuttle Theater. The college’s Criminal Justice Department will take an in-depth look at what happened following the death of Michael Brown, the unarmed black teenager who was shot and killed in 2014 by a white police officer. Also on Jan. 18, Dr. Maria Stephan will deliver the keynote address at 6 p.m. in Tuttle Theater. Dr. Stephan is a senior policy fellow at the United States Institute of Peace and a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council. Her work “focuses on the dynamics of civil resistance and their relevance for violent conflict prevention and democratic development.” A Vermont native, her previous assignments include engaging in the Syrian opposition in Turkey and civil-military planning with the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan.
On Wednesday, Jan. 20, CSJ hosts “The Art of Civil Disobedience” training, led by CSJ’s October Surprise and Colber Prosper. The training will take place at 2 p.m. in Tuttle Theater.
On Thursday, Jan. 21 at 12:30 p.m. Castleton University will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy with special guest David Mills, a renowned poet and performer, presents an interpretation of Dr. King’s unforgettable “I Have A Dream” speech. The event, which will take place in the Casella Theater, will also feature musical tributes by the Castleton University Chorale under the direction of Dr. Sherrill Blodget, and the Castleton Jazz Ensemble under the leadership of Robert Roth.
