Chris Rock, Michael B. Jordan Read Historic Speeches For Martin Luther King Jr. Day At Riverside Church
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Hundreds of people packed into the Riverside Church Monday evening, as comedian Chris Rock, actor Michael B. Jordan and others performed historic speeches in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The event at the church, at 490 Riverside Dr., was meant to celebrate King's legacy and provide a discussion on how to continue his message in today's climate.
Jordan read from a piece of writing from Fred Hampton, a founder of the Black Panthers.
"We've got to face the fact that some people say you fight fire best with fire," he read. "But we say you put out fire best with water. We say you don't fight racism with racism. We're going to fight racism with solidarity."
Rock read a passage from the iconic African-American author and poet James Baldwin.
"Well, the black man has functioned in the white man's world as a fixed star, as an immovable pillar, and as he moves out of his place, heaven and earth are shaken to their foundations," he read.
Organizer Shawn Dove said the event was meant to "ignite" the audience, which he said was "hungry" for change.
King delivered a sermon expressing his views opposing the Vietnam War at the Riverside Church in 1967. Composer and Tony winner Lin Manuel Miranda recited a portion of the speech at the event Monday.
The event also included musical performances and a panel discussion with artists and community activists.
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