Candles, song mark King holiday

Students honored the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. with a nighttime processional. Carrying candles and singing "We Shall Overcome," more than 75 people marched four blocks from DuBois College House to the Christian Association building last night in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. The annual Alpha Phi Alpha Martin Luther King Jr. Anti-Violence Vigil was the first of a series of events in the six-week celebration of the life and work of the slain civil rights leader, entitled "Keeping the Dream Alive." The goal of the vigil, said APA President and College sophomore Jean Paul Sontuffet, was to "in our own small way continue to remember the dream of Martin Luther King." King himself was a member of APA, the first national black Greek letter organization, and in holding this vigil, Sontuffet said, the organizers hope to keep alive his memory. The vigil began at DuBois College House, where United Minorities Council President Chaz Howard, a College junior and APA member, asked people to introduce themselves to someone new. This theme of meeting new people prevailed throughout the evening as students from other nearby colleges joined Penn students and faculty. Storm Staton, a Drexel University junior, said he joined the group to "pay my respects to Dr. Martin Luther King so we'll always remember his dreams and carry it on." Karlene Burrell-McRae, associate director of the Greenfield Intercultural Center, said that she decided to join the vigil "to pay homage to someone who always inspired and did good work." McRae added that she came out to "share with students" the experience to "remind ourselves of what someone like [King] was able to do." At the Christian Association building, located at 3601 Locust Walk, the group -- holding hands in a circle -- was led in prayer and reflection by CA Executive Director Beverly Dale. Dale's message stressed that there are many people "asleep on this campus and asleep in this culture." She encouraged people to live their lives the best that they can. Dale's sermon was followed by a ceremony of libation, a traditional African ritual of recognizing one's ancestors and the past. The evening concluded with an opportunity for those present to share what Martin Luther King Day means to them. The organizers intended for the event to help people "remember the sacrifices those before us made," he added. College senior Sagar Dalal said that coming to the vigil is "some way I can finally do something" to "help live [King's] dream out." Other events include a breakfast this morning at DuBois, a speech tomorrow night by Philadelphia City Council member Angel Ortiz and a visit by the controversial Rev. Al Sharpton on January 26.