Occupy Wall Street calls #J15 its biggest initiative of 2012, an initiative aimed to unite movements across the globe. Autonomously organized, people everywhere are lighting candles as an expression of non-violence calling for a more equitable global economic system. The New York City celebration will be The Riverside Church—the renowned church where Dr. King gave his historic “Beyond Vietnam” speech, Sunday, January 15 at 8:00 p.m. in the Nave.

 

The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. when hundreds of Occupy Wall Street activists will amass outside of and process from St. John the Divine to Riverside as part of a global candlelight vigil honoring Dr. King. Beginning at 8pm, The Riverside program features performances by Patti Smith, Steve Earle, Stephan Said, Kozza Olantunji Babumba, as well as inspirational words of Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Yoko Ono, Russell Simmons, Reverend Stephen H. Phelps, Daisy Kahn, Norman Siegel, Sumumba Sobukwe, Malik Rhasaan, religious leaders and activists.

 

Press check-in 91 Claremont Ave. (bet. 120th & 122nd Sts.), Morningside Heights. Interviews available: Stephan Said, Event Organizer; Norman Siegel, Civil Rights Lawyer; Preach Domond, Occupy The Hood.

 

Vigils are taking place from Brisbane, New Zealand to Tahrir Square, Glasgow, Scotland to New Orleans. In Atlanta, Dr. King's nephew Isaac Farris, Jr. and the SCLC host a vigil at SCLC headquarters with college students. In Tucson, Arizona, Gabrielle Gifford's former District Director and shooting victim Ron Barber and his wife Nancy to have entire crowd join them at Tucson State Theater event with Ben Folds and others performing.