Martin Luther King Jr. Honored in both Parishes, here's how to attend

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Terrebonne and Lafourche NAACPs are hosting gatherings.

In celebration of King's 95th birthday, Monday, Jan. 15, both parishes will have speeches, singing and prayers. King was a minister and political activist who spoke out against racism. King famously changed the course of the nation through nonviolence and is known for his "I Have a Dream Speech," and Letter From Birmingham Jail.

The Terrebonne Parish Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration will begin at 10 a.m. at the Terrebonne Courthouse Square, then will march from the courthouse to Dumas Auditorium for programs to continue at noon.

The Lafourche celebration will take place at the St. Luke Community Center, 300 East 11th Street in Thibodaux, and will begin at 11 a.m. The march has been canceled this year because of the weather.

Both celebrations generally last a few hours.

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The Lafourche gathering will also have a contest. Children under 12 are encouraged to write an essay on the topic of "The reason we celebrate Dr. King," and former educators will judge the winners. The top three essays will be read at the gathering and first place will receive $100, second place will get $75, and third will get $50.

"Even those that don't place, we still give them something," said Lafourche Parish NAACP President Burnell Tolbert.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Martin Luther King Jr. Honored in both Parishes, here's how to attend