To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign, Ben & Jerry’s in Waterbury is hosting a special display from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
On Friday, June 22, Ben & Jerry’s will unveil a new display depicting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1968 Poor People’s Campaign against racism, poverty, and militarism. “These issues are as pressing today as they were 50 years ago,” said Ben & Jerry’s CEO Jostein Solheim. “We’re hoping these images will inspire people to join a new Poor People’s Campaign for racial and economic justice.”
Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Chairman of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, will be on hand to share his perspective as a long-time civil rights leader and organizer. Dr. LaFayette worked closely with Dr. King and was with him just hours before his assassination.
The exhibit unveiling will be followed by an ice cream social, and then a deeper look into the history of the Poor People’s Campaign with Dr. Aaron Bryant, curator at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. On Saturday, June 23, the public is invited to Community Day at the Waterbury factory from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m, with a talk, exhibit tour, family-friendly activities and ice cream.
The exhibit will be on display through Dec. 31.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexual language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be proactive. Use the "Report" link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.