NATCHEZ — Remembering those who fought for the liberties black people freely enjoy today is the goal of events Sunday and Monday commemorating the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the leaders in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s, King’s efforts will be recognized Monday throughout the area and nation with a variety of events.

The Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture (NAPAC) will host its annual, “I Have A Dream Youth Luncheon” at 10 a.m. Monday at the Natchez Convention Center.

The theme of the luncheon this year is, “Dream with a vision, live with a purpose.”

NAPAC Director Darrell White said the event is an important one for all members of the community to attend.

“King’s dream was for a better America, and all of the things he may have hoped for still have not been realized,” White said. “The election of Barack Obama was a step in the right direction, but there’s still some roads to be traveled and obstacles to overcome.

“And the purpose of the luncheon is to keep that message of hope and aspiration alive within the community.”

White said the luncheon also helps young members of the community realize the significance of what others before them have been through.

“One of the goals is to educate the future generations so that they will have an appreciation of the sacrifices that have been made in the past to continue to keep hope and the dream alive,” White said. “By having young people attend, it puts these youngsters in a position to be included in the future of this community.”

Deanna Hayden of Fayette, a senior honor student at Cathedral High School, will be the guest speaker.

Cost to attend the luncheon is $11 per person. All checks should be made payable to NAPAC.

Churches, organizations and schools are invited to attend.

To ensure getting a seat, call Mary White at 601-446-5601, Juanita Jones at 601-446-5752 or Flora Terrell at 601-446-5218.

The Natchez branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will host a banquet at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Natchez Convention Center, and a parade downtown at 3 p.m. Monday.

Awards will be given to outstanding NAACP workers.

The cost to attend the banquet is $20.

Natchez NAACP President the Rev. Clifton Marvel said the banquet helps bring the community together to remind everyone the importance of not losing sight of the dreams of equality for which King and others fought.

“One of the important things to remind ourselves from the older generations is to never forget what happened and make a statement to our new generation the cost of our freedom,” Marvel said. “We need to tell them of the atrocities that our people suffered through the years.”

Those atrocities, Marvel said, can easily go unnoticed by younger members of the community.

“They don’t see the signs that say ‘black’ and ‘white’ and other derogatory signs at public establishments we saw,” Marvel said. “Many parents might not like to talk about it or don’t know about it, so we have to make sure we keep everyone informed of the work that was done for the freedoms we are enjoying today.”

Line up for the parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the bluff.

Participation is free of charge.

The parade will go down Franklin Street before turning left onto Martin Luther King Street before ending on Minor Street.

NAACP member Jacqueline Marsaw encourages all local schools, churches or organizations to be a part of the parade.

The theme for this year’s parade is, “All in for justice.”

First through fifth prizes will be given to the floats competing.

The grand marshals for the parade include former Adams County Justic Court Judge Mary Lee Toles and Jessie Bernard Williams.

Those wishing to enter the parade should call Marsaw at 601-443-3630.