On Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, Alliance San Diego will host the 37th All Peoples Celebration to honor the living legacy of Dr. King in an uplifting program that features inspiring performances and a powerful keynote speech. The history we are living through presents both challenges and opportunities. It offers new lessons that help us make more informed decisions, better organize our communities, and mobilize for the change we desire. Alliance San Diego uses these moments to sharpen our vision for building a more inclusive, multiracial democracy. Although election seasons come and go, our duty to uplift human rights and protect the dignity of ourselves, our families, and our communities remains forever constant. We believe that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s staunch advocacy for human rights were foundational to his dream of the Beloved Community — a community that comes together in shared humanity. His speeches and writings address various intersections of protecting dignity in a world that violates human rights. We honor those powerful words as an important part of his living legacy; they serve as beacons from the past that illuminate the path to a brighter future. “One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized, cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.” Martin Luther King Jr. Every year, we host the All Peoples Celebration to inspire the greater San Diego to connect with one another, listen to the needs of the community, and then boldly take action to lift each other up. Alliance San Diego stands firm on the belief that dignity is inherent to all humans; it is a solid framework for holding political leaders accountable and a pathway to getting closer to sustainable and just policies. The theme for the 37th annual All Peoples Celebrations invites every person to pledge to ProtectDIGNITY. To make a commitment to transform our care into tangible support. When we come together in January 2025, may we be reminded of our noble responsibility and obligation to one another. May our many strengths be used to not only call on our elected leaders to honor dignity, but to also actively protect DIGNITY, especially for the most vulnerable among us. This is the most powerful, unified form of nonviolent resistance that we can employ. Although opposing forces incessantly aim to divide and demean us, having a mindset of self-worth restores us and provides a clear lens for elevating the community. Amidst the fog of uncertainty rests our ability to reason and, most importantly, our ability to dream of and work towards a better world. When we face hurdles, we must practice radical hope and also persistence. The journey ahead requires us to remain steadfast in our objectives and persevere despite the attacks on our democracy. Dr. King states that “one's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized, cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered” We must not surrender to the forces of fear. We must reaffirm ourselves, commit to fighting for justice, and while in our pursuit, we must never waver from protecting the dignity of all people. Alliance San Diego on Facebook / Instagram
