Beyond Apathy, National Prayer Leaders/Pastors and Ministers Join NAACP and Governor Hutchinson with Separation of Robert E. Lee from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday

The April 3rd Proclamation Rally II is being timed to coincide with the AR Special Legislative Session.

Background: 

In June of 2015¸ the Arkansas State NAACP initiated a conversation with Governor Asa Hutchinson and his regarding the separation of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday that is celebrated on the same day as that of the Robert E. Lee Holiday.  

Happening Now:

Please read the article that appears in Wednesday's, March 30th Arkansas Democrat Gazette entitled Black caucus set on viewing a bill to end King-Lee joint holiday. 

http://m.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/mar/29/black-caucus-delays-vote-ending-king-lee-day-arkan/

This is an official NAACP Call to Action for there to be a Vote in the Arkansas Special Session to remove Robert E. Lee Day from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday.  

If you will add your voice to the efforts outlined above and will join us for our Proclamation Rally to say we stand with the NAACP and with theGovernor to move from Proclamation to Legislation, please reply [YES] to this invitation if you plan to be in attendance.

What:  A Prayer Tribute and Proclamation Rally to the 48th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Final Message: "I've Been to the Mountaintop." 

When:  Sunday, April 3rd, 2016

Time:    2:30pm - 3pm  

Where:  Steps of the Arkansas State Capitol 

Finally, please post and share this with other in your groups and organizations and post on all your social networks. 

Thanks, 

Dale Charles, President

Arkansas State NAACP

(501) 376-2227

Thanks for your prayers and support.

The Rally's are Being Called to Move from 'Rally to Reality' The AR Legislature must move this to a Vote in the House ASAP.  The Proclamation Rally is Where Our Voices 'Must Be Heard.' TOGETHER AS ONE!

BACKGROUND #giveusthisdayarmlk 

From the Little Rock Nine to the Carolina Nine—
What Says Arkansas on the Issues? 

MLK Holiday Exclusive Celebration| Our Flag| Restoring Our Schools- The State Takeover Concerns| Prison Re-entry and Reform

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 Organizers and Proclaimers: AR NAACP| The College of Aspiring Artists| Arkansas Clergy| Legislators| Faith-based Organizations| Educators| Elected and Public Officials| Community-Corporate-Youth Leaders | Activists | Media

The Results Are In: 

At 8am on Friday morning, September 11, 2015 at the Holiday Inn Presidential in Little Rock, Arkansas, the leaders of the Arkansas NAACP convened for the 70^th Annual Convention.  The convention kicked off with the AR 9.11 Prayer Breakfast and Roundtable. The Honorable Governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson was the keynote speaker.  The theme, “GIVE US THIS DAY” focused on both a humble request and thanks to God for his grace and provisions, but also a strong decree requesting state leaders to make ready and pray forward the plans and the works that must take place for Arkansas to celebrate the MLK Holiday 2016 as an exclusive celebration and thereby no longer being a part of a dual celebration with the Robert E. Lee Day.  The event was sponsored in part by The College of Aspiring Artists with CEO, Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., D.D., serving as Facilitator. 

After the moving address by Governor Asa Hutchinson affirming the purpose and passion for AR to move forward and celebrate the MLK Holiday as a day of honor 'exclusively' for Rev. Dr. King, statewide leaders from the arenas of clergy, legislators, faith-based organizations, educators, community, corporate and youth leaders, and activists unanimously agreed that MLK Holiday 2016 and beyond should be an exclusive day of honor for Rev. Dr. King. To God be the Glory. 

This is a historic moment for persons across the nation to come 'together as one' joining the online movement event live or in person by wearing this key awareness symbol and demonstration badge of honor and advocacy. Bracelet owners signify their advocacy for all states to honor the MLK Holiday ‘exclusively’ and no longer share the day with General Robert E. Lee. Arkansas’ Governor Asa Hutchinson has written a letter of support and recently delivered a powerful concurring keynote address at the AR 9.11 NAACP 70th Convention in support of this exclusive day of honor to Rev. Dr. King.  We believe that MLK Day should be focused on giving supreme honor to the Prophet, Rev. Dr. King.  We further believe that the Clergy who stand in this same place today should stand together and declare this to be a 'Holy Day' and that the nation should be united as one.  

This and more was a part of the discussion and working strategies at the prayer breakfast and the new roundtable that has now been activated. The discussion focuses on, “reflecting the past, inspecting the present and projecting the future” in Arkansas’ race relations and especially the advancement for all people color within the state.

Special thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket and especially to our 'Table of Honor' list who purchased one or more tables:

*AR Black Legislative Caucus
*AR 12th Episcopal District- AME Church
*AR MLK Commission 
*AR Republican Party
*First Assembly of God, North Little Rock, AR
*Bishop Alfonso Madden 

-Strategy in Motion-

Part I.  How We Got Here- “From the Little Rock Nine to the Carolina Nine—
What Says Arkansas on the Issues?”

On June 17, 2015, Reverend-Senator, Pastor Clementa Pinckney and eight others were killed (sacrificed) by a gunman proclaiming hate for African-Americans inside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.  From the Little Rock Nine to the Carolina Nine, a focus on how Arkansas led the nation in 1957 and how Arkansas will lead today is high on the discussion. Arkansas’ NAACP, Feel the Movement: From Prophecy to Promise and others are committed to not allowing these sacrifices to be in vain.

Part II.  Where To From Here - How We Do It 

-A strong focus and foundation based on love conveyed with the biblical verse- 
“Be not overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.”

On Monday, January 18, 2016 the Arkansas NAACP will be celebrating the longest-running salute in the state of Arkansas honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from the State Capitol. Leaders will continue to discuss and make plans for MLK Holiday 2016 to give the highest honor in statewide unity on the Federal Holiday in his honor from the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol aiming to bring greater harmony in the state and nation.

In addition to the concerns regarding MLK 'Exclusive', there are two other key areas that will be addressed during the Rally (and throughout the year)-

-State of AR School Takeover 

- AR Prison Re-entry and Reform

"GIVE US THIS DAY:" January 18, 2016

WHAT WILL ARKANSANS DO?

Based on the 107 years that the NAACP has led and served in helping to advance similar moments in Arkansas and across the nation, along with the 35 years that the AR NAACP has stood on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol on the MLK Holiday honoring the works and sacrifice of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the resolve proposed herein and going forward is confirming progress and now requests additional support from state leaders in moving these agenda items forward.

In Arkansas, it requires ministers and spiritual surgeons and of persons of many professions such as city councils, lawyers and people of faith to do the successful operation.  It took 20 years in Carolina for a controversial moment to be reset and resolved but the efforts finally paid off.  The shootings forced a change in America and especially in the Governor of SC, Governor Nikki Haley and the Mayor, Joseph P. Riley, Jr., who was also one of the leaders on record calling for the rally.  In Arkansas we will not let their sacrifices nor those of the many persons in our state be in vain. Let the Roundtable and the strategic plans begin and continue to the finish line.

Let's Get it Started:  Add/post your thoughts and comments here or they can be submitted by calling the Arkansas NAACP Headquarters at 501.376.2227 or 870.623.8179.   Check here often for meeting times via phone conference and community gatherings.  Beyond the Prayer Breakfast, a press conference was held at the State Capitol on December 22nd and additional updates can be retrieved on this site or the eventbrite site below.

Here's our Prayerful Petition-  We hereby declare MLK Holiday 2016 Exclusive Honor to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Arkansas henceforth and always. 

https://giveusthisdaymlkholiday.eventbrite.com