By Beth Alston

AMERICUS — The 50th annual observance of the birthday of late civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will be spread over several days locally this year.
From 12:30-3 p.m. Saturday, a Unity Rally will take place at Lenny’s Market in downtown Americus. One of the speakers is Kirk Lyman-Barner, a local minister. At 3:15 p.m. a Memorial Commemorative Ceremony will be held in front of the Sumter County Courthouse on West Lamar Street, followed by a parade through downtown Americus, starting and ending at the courthouse.
At 10 a.m. Monday, which is the actual holiday observance, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program will be held at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church with Kent Hill, Americus native and former NFL player, as keynote speaker. Other guests include state Sen. Greg Kirk, R-Americus, and state Rep. Bill McGowan, D-Americus.
And at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Georgia Southwestern State University hosts its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation in the Student Success Center. Shariah McKenzie Solomon, a midwife at Miriam Worthy Women’s Health Center in Albany is the keynote speaker.
The public is invited to any and all of these commemorative activities to remember the life and works of King.