Central Texas commemorates MLK’s legacy

Numerous events set to remember civil rights leader’s death.

Today is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and Central Texans will be commemorating the life and legacy of the civil rights leader and Baptist minister with these events:

2018 Fair Housing Summit: Seven days after King’s death in 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Fair Housing Act of 1968, prohibiting discrimination in renting, buying or financing housing, one of the last legislative achievements of the civil rights era. The summit takes place at the Austin Convention Center through Thursday and celebrates the passage of this act with a schedule of panels and speakers.

Chapel Service: Seminary of the Southwest, an episcopal seminary in Austin, will host a service today remembering the life of King, followed by a discussion on two of his sermons as well as his impact on the nation. The service will begin at 11:45 a.m. in Christ Chapel on the seminary campus, 501 E. 32nd St.

Observance: The First United Methodist Church of Georgetown will host a service at 6:30 p.m. today reflecting on King’s final hours in 1968. The church is located at 410 E. University Ave. in Georgetown.

50 Years After the Assassination of MLK: On April 10 at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Peniel Joseph, founder of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the University of Texas, will discuss King’s death and the state of racism in America today. The event takes place at Sid Richardson Hall at 12:151:30 p.m.

NAACP Austin President Nelson Linder said today is not just about commemoration, but also about action.

“It’s very important for people