Two events in Northwest suburbs to mark MLK death

The Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations is hosting two events in the Northwest suburbs next week to mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

On Wednesday, April 4, - the anniversary of when the civil rights leader was killed in Memphis, Tennessee, - some 25 church leaders and their congregations will gather at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights for a service of remembrance. The ecumenical service, at 7 p.m. at 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road, is open to the public.

On Saturday, April 7, the commission's annual King remembrance dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Chicago Marriott Northwest hotel, 4800 Hoffman Blvd. in Hoffman Estates. Birmingham, Alabama, Mayor Randall Woodfin will be the keynote speaker and Denver Broncos Linebacker Brandon Marshall will receive a courage award for his efforts to improve community relations between police and youth. Tickets are available at icdhr.com.

"We're coming together to pay homage and fellowship, and talk about (King's) ideals of justice, unity and equality," said the Rev. Clyde H. Brooks, the commission's chairman.