BAM Tribute To Martin Luther King Attracts Politicians, Protesters Alike

By: Rebecca Spitz

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The 26th annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Monday evoked the civil rights leader's legacy both in politicians' speeches and the chants of nearby demonstrators protesting nearby school closures. NY1's Rebecca Spitz filed the following report.

Just before the annual tribute in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Fort Greene, a small group of students protested the plan by Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration to close dozens of schools, including their own.

As they echoed King's famous words by chanting, "We have a dream, save our schools," they said the slain civil rights activist would have supported their actions.

"I know he's watching over us now as we celebrate his day today and he's hearing us out, because I know if you have a dream and you want to stand for it, he stood for his. And we're going to stand for ours," said a young protester.

It was not lost on the protesters that the day's keynote speaker was Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott.

"Where he's at, we are right behind him," said another young protester.

Walcott did not talk about the protest during his address but did address it when he spoke later with NY1.

"I know sometimes people may want to protest and again, that's one of those 'Dr. King moments.' It's the value of protest," said the chancellor. "But the value for us is making sure our children are getting a high-quality education and sometimes that requires difficult choices."

The tribute was a who's who of politics, but perhaps the most compelling moment came as Mayor Michael Bloomberg took the stage to a combination of cheers and boos.

"Time out, time out. For those of you that want to express yourselves, there's a time and a place for everything. Just remember we're here to honor a man who valued education," said the mayor.

While there were some awkward moments during the celebration, most people who spoke with NY1 afterward said it was a morning well spent.

"It was just so beautiful. I really enjoyed seeing all the different types of young people and many different ethnic groups coming out," said a participant.

"We are all a part of continuing the legacy of service to one another, to improving the lives of one another, and that it's not something that one man does but we do together," said another.

As different people took away the same message, Dr. King would surely be proud of such a legacy.