Dozens gathered in downtown State College Thursday night to recognize the 51st anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination.
Reverend Pamela Haddon Ford started the event with a prayer.
“We stand in community with one another in this place of sacred remembrance. Receive our gratitude as we remember the life of Dr. King,” Haddon Ford said.
The event was marked by singing, prayer and speeches at the Fraser Street Commons where community members could listen, sing along and enjoy refreshments.
Some speeches made reference to police violence. President of Penn State’s Black Caucus Danieltta Pantoe talked about the recent death of Osaze Osagie, who was fatally shot two weeks ago by police.
“We must gather together for justice. We must gather together for Antwon Rose. We must gather together for Osaze Osagie," Pantoe said. "We cannot let countless black lives be lost to police violence.”
The event finished up with more singing from the musical group, Soul Space.
