Breaking the Silence: A Virtual Gathering
Inspired by MLK’s Words from April 4, 1967
Peace and Planet News

(April 4, 2023) — On April 4, 1967, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was in Riverside Church in New York City to deliver his historic speech “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” considered by many the most consequential speech of his career.

In his remarks Dr. King moved beyond civil rights and called for an end to the war in Vietnam. He also identified the triple threats of militarism, racism, and extreme materialism — enforced by a culture of violence — as the source of our nation’s ills.

Tragically Dr. King was assassinated on the same date — April 4 — exactly one year later.

Controversial in its day, “A Time to Break Silence” is now considered prophetic. Peace & Planet News is proud to co-sponsor a virtual gathering on Dr. King’s call for a radical revolution in values against racism, militarism and materialism.

What does this revolution look like today? We are part of the April 4th Coalition — made up of over 50 civil and human rights, peace, religious and justice organizations — which is organizing “Breaking the Silence: On a Culture of Violence.” It will take place on April 4, 2023, at 7 pm ET and registration is free.

Panelists Include:
•   Medea Benjamin, co-founder of the women-led peace group CODEPINK

•   Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, co-executive director of the Highlander Research & Education Center in New Market, Tennessee

•  Loretta J. Ross, Associate Professor at Smith College and a MacArthur Fellow

•   Rev. Alba Onofrio, co-founder of Sexual Liberation Collective

•   PG Watkins, member of the James and Grace Lee Boggs Center.

Join us! Register at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_J7h3PO6hTcaWsM1zDfhgkQ

Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr: Full Speech