In the name of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A photo of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the historic freedom march from Selma to Montgomery, 1965. He and his supporters wore lei to symbolize peaceful intentions. Dr. Martin Luther King visited the newly formed Hawaii State Legislature on September 17, 1959. Above photo from Hawaiian Independence Blog. Photos below by Eri Oura.
HONOLULU—The scene at Kapiolani Park on Monday was inspiring as crowds gathered to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A myriad of logos on shirts supported a variety of different activist groups, including: Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery (P.A.S.S.), Blacks In Government (BIG), and the African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii (AADCCH). Different religious groups had booths scattered around the grounds, but the majority of groups involved were those related to civil rights.
P.A.S.S. members regrouped at the fair after marching in the parade to spread a message against sex trafficking. The organization’s goal is to end sex trafficking through public education, awareness, providing support and care for victims, and prompting the passage of local state legislation. P.A.S.S. would like to pass a law making sex trafficking illegal in Hawaii as a class A felony. Hawaii is one of seven states that still has not passed a law making human trafficking illegal.
Many people might find it difficult to believe that slavery is still a problem today, however P.A.S.S co-founder Cathy Xian said, “slavery in the world still exists.” She refers to the many women involved in human trafficking in Hawaii and throughout the world. She said it is crucial that sex trafficking be not only a federal offense but also a state crime. According to the P.A.S.S. website, “The current state penalties do not fit the crime against sex trafficking and must be raised to be just. State prostitution laws combine both patron and prostituted person in the same criminal category. P.A.S.S. seeks to distinguish victim from the perpetrators contributing to the demand for prostitution/trafficking.”
An Anti-Human Trafficking bill is set to be introduced with the Legislative Women’s Caucus package soon after the opening of the Legislature.
The organization BIG demonstrated support of civil rights at the unity rally as well. Its goals include the advocacy of equal opportunity for blacks in government and assistance to its members in professional development. This group strives to promote equality and opportunity for black employees in the workplace, and also participates in community service events which support community development. The organization has recently set up its Hawaii headquarters to support their federally-recognized program.
The African American Diversity Cultural Center Hawaii also participated in the event. The AADCCH is a “museum repository” that collects information and artifacts relating to black history in Hawaii. It shares its findings with the community and hopes to educate and inspire people to appreciate African American culture and its place in Hawaii.
Also participating in the fair were The Asia Pacific Vision, Local 5, Revolution Books, Omega Beta Beta Chapter, and Hawaii Government Employee Association (HGEA). Groups coming from a myriad of different cultures, religions, and backgrounds came together to share their ideas and opinions. The massive crowd celebrating King’s great message felt and shared a collective hope for equality, peace, and justice.
