Former Santa Monica mayor and longtime civic activist Nat Trives will deliver the keynote speech at Santa Monica’s observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Three events are planned Friday through Sunday.
Trives, a two-term Santa Monica City Council member in the 1970s, is scheduled to speak Saturday at the largest of the events.
A former police officer who has worked for the federal court system, Trives has also taught criminal justice and political science at Santa Monica College and Caifornia State University, Los Angeles. In 2012, he was the recipient of Santa Monica YMCA's "Lifetime of Exceptional Achievement and Dedicated Service Award" and the 2012 Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Santa Monica "Global Justice Award."
Even organizers say Santa Monica's annual celebration of the King holiday has become one of "the largest and most diverse celebrations of its kind in Southern California."
The three events are:
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m. Friday: The suggested donation is $25 per person or $200 for a table of 10. The event will feature Dominique Washington’s courageous "Ready for the Dream;" a "Table Talk" conversation on "Courage in Action;" gospel music and more. Calvary Baptist Church, 1502 20th St.
- 28th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration, 10 a.m. Saturday: A multiethnic interfaith program that includes inspirational readings, speakers, music, dance, singing and the MLK Education Awards. SGI Auditorium, 525 Wilshire Blvd. The celebration is followed by a Community Involvement Fair from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the SGI Youth Center, 606 Wilshire Blvd. Both events are free
- The Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra, 3:30 p.m. Sunday: The orchestra performs a free Martin Luther King memorial concert after Barack Obama is sworn in as President of the United States. SGI Auditorium, 525 Wilshire Blvd.
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