There’s a message to Ansonia in the text of Martin Luther King Jr.‘s “I Have A Dream“ speech.
That’s what the Rev. Edward S. Barnes told a large audience at a Martin Luther King Day celebration in Ansonia Monday.
The event is hosted by the Ansonia chapter of the NAACP each year.
“Every Valley shall be exalted,” Barnes quoted from the famous speech, given in 1963.
“Consider the Valley of Connecticut,” Barnes said to the group that gathered at the Greater Evangel Temple on Jackson Street. “We must understand it’s time for us to get up.”
That means telling young men to pull up their pants, young women to go to school, Barnes said.
To fight to keep community centers like the Tinney Center and the Boys and Girls Club.
To vote.
“He spoke to us, the people of the Valley, who have heard the dream,” Barnes said.
Barnes urged the community to overcome violence.
“Take the guns and knives out of their hands,” Barnes said, urging young minorities to join the Ansonia Police Department. “If you have to carry a gun, use that gun to make the crime level go down.”
“It’s time for the Valley to be exalted,” Barnes said. “It’s time to live, not die.”
At the event, Ansonia fifth grader Justin Carotenuto recited the full “I Have A Dream” speech.
The Tinney Center Angels, a youth group at the Tinney Community Center, spoke about King’s message of respect and equal education.
Brian Perkins, a New Haven educator, recited King’s “I See The Promised Land” speech.
The Ansonia chapter of the NAACP later recognized Naomi “Ms. Ruthie” Wallace and the Tinney Center Angels with Martin Luther King Awards for community service.
