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NAACP-Salt Lake City branch hosts 36th memorial luncheon honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.


NAACP-Salt Lake City branch hosts 36th memorial luncheon honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo: KUTV)
NAACP-Salt Lake City branch hosts 36th memorial luncheon honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo: KUTV)
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The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Salt Lake City branch, hosted its 36th annual luncheon memorial honoring to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The two-hour event took place at Little America and featured guest speaker Elder Gary E. Stevenson, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Stevenson gave a brief history of the Church that included clarification about an error in a printed "Come, Follow Me" manual on the issue of a person's color that stated those with dark skin are cursed.

Stevenson said the error is being corrected in a digital version of the manual and said the Church disavows any notion that a person's skin color is a sign of God's disfavor.

He advocated strongly for unconditional love and acceptance of all people as "brother's keepers" and said the Church does not tolerate any racism past or present. He said:

We are all part of the same divine family. Our well-being is tied to our neighbor’s well-being.

Special musical numbers by a woman called, "Mack," invoked a standing ovation from an estimated 400 people in attendance form her performance of the songs, "Oh Freedom" and "Glory," by Common and John Legend.

NAACP-Salt Lake City Branch President Jeanetta Willams presented The Huntsman Foundation with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. award, which was accepted by David Huntsman.

She also presented Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera with the Rosa Parks award. The following recipients were also honored as first responders:

  • Ruben Correa, Trooper, Utah Highway Patrol
  • Seth Ellington, Assistant Chief, Kaysville Police Department
  • Miguel Gammon, Officer, West Valley City Police Department
  • Reyna Pedro, Officer, American Fork Police Department
  • Clint Pollock, Sergeant, Cedar City Police Department
  • Jeffrey Thomas, Battalion Chief, Salt Lake City Fire Department
  • Kim Waelty, Officer, West Jordan Police Department
  • John Wells, Officer, West Valley City Police Department
  • Salt Lake City Police Department Organized Crime Unit: Kurt Jemmett, Monica Roop, Jeff Johnson, Edward Verkier, Kory Olson, LeighWillis, Brandi Palmer

Williams presented scholarships to the following at the event:

  • Alicie Baker - Northern Utah Academy of Math, Engineering and Science
  • Ariel Chatman - Layton High School
  • Isabel Cossa - Cyprus High School
  • Daimion Davis - Skyridge High School
  • Jaycee Galvin - Salt Lake Community College
  • Jenessa Jimoh, Westminster College
  • Zachary Scott - University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
  • Jevante Suggs-Gray -Dixie State University
  • Tyana Williams - Roseman University

For more information about the NAACP-Salt Lake City Branch, click here.




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