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Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the New Orleans Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Planning Commission announced the schedule of events for the City's 27^th annual MLK holiday celebration. The events begin on Tuesday, January 15 and will culminate with a program and march from City Hall to the MLK Memorial on Claiborne Avenue on Monday, January 21. Official events this year include a wreath laying ceremony, an educational series on civil disobedience and civil rights, a choral concert, a service project, and an art exhibition. The Mayor and commission members will be announcing additional details regarding the week's events on Wednesday, January 16 at City Hall.

Mayor Landrieu said a particular focus of this year's festivities will be Dr. King's message of nonviolence and the City's NOLA FOR LIFE comprehensive plan to reduce murder. He said he's hopeful that in remembering Dr. King's legacy, the city can overcome its current challenges together. "We face many challenges today-violence, fear, division, but I know, together, we as citizens can overcome these challenges and act to improve the lives of our people."

Reverend Norwood Thompson, chair of the New Orleans Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Planning Commission said, "Each year on the third Monday of January, schools, federal and local buildings, post offices and banks across America close as we celebrate the birth, life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a time for the nation to remember the injustices that Dr. King fought for and his fight for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all people. This year's events are also a time to remember the message of change through nonviolence."

All citizens are welcome and encouraged to attend the Martin Luther King Jr., Day events. The main program on Martin Luther King Jr., Day will begin at New Orleans City Hall on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 9:00am, followed by the 27^th annual MLK Memorial March at 9:45am.

Marching units, including bands, dance troupes, or others interested in participating in the parade should register with Sherlyn Harris at 504-658-4200 or slharris@nola.gov.

The nearly 1 ½ mile long march starts at City Hall on Perdido Street. It goes down Loyola Avenue towards uptown. Loyola turns into Simon Bolivar Boulevard. The parade makes a right turn on MLK Blvd. It goes up MLK to South Claiborne ends at MLK Monument on South Claiborne and Felicity.

For more information about this year's events, visit www.nola.gov/mlk2013.

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