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CCSD TO HOST MLK JR. HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION AS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
CANTON, Oh. — The Canton City School District, in partnership with the Greater Canton Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, is proud to host the Ohio Historical Marker dedication ceremony to commemorate a speech given by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Canton Memorial Field House on March 20, 1964. In addition to the historical marker, a plaque in honor of the visit by Dr. King, Jr. has been created and will be installed courtesy of The Massillon Plaque Company.
The ceremony will take place in conjunction with the observance of the International Day of Peace on Friday, September 21, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., outside the Field House located at 2323 17th St. NW.
Pre-ceremony entertainment by the McKinley High School Band will begin at 9:45 a.m.
During the ceremony, a portion of Dr. King’s speech will be played. In the speech, he urged the passage of the Civil Rights Bill in memory of President John F. Kennedy, and encouraged young African Americans to pursue excellence.
In Canton, King also shared one of his famous quotes: “The law can’t make a man love me, but it can restrain him from lynching me; the law can’t change hearts, but it can change habits.”
Guest speakers will include Canton Mayor Thomas Bernabei, MLK Commission Chairman Rev. Walter J. Arrington, and Mark Dillard, member of the CCSD Board of Education, State Rep. Thomas E. West, 49th District, and Anthony Gibbs, Ohio History Connection.
Superintendent Adrian E. Allison said the district is proud to partner with the Greater Canton MLK Commission to honor Dr. King’s presence in Canton during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.
“It is truly an honor for Canton and our school district to commemorate the words of Dr. King. His words are as important today as they were in 1964. As our students and community members view this plaque and historical marker, it is my hope that they are reminded of those who sacrificed to make our community better and are inspired to be leaders for social justice,” Allison said.