A World AIDS Day memorial and candlelight gathering will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at Emancipation Garden, featuring an address by Pastor Derek King, nephew of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, a choir, a dance group and possibly a steel orchestra.
The candlelight vigil, sponsored by the St. Thomas-St. John chapter of the American Red Cross, is held each year in memory of friends and loved ones who have died from AIDS.
King will speak on "Men Making a Difference," the theme of this year's HIV/AIDS prevention program.
King's career has closely followed that of his famous uncle. He has taught religion and sociology at several Southern colleges, been pastor of many Southern congregations, is active in youth development and teaching "Kingian Nonviolence" workshops, and is an instructor in African American HIV/AIDS Fundamentals, sponsored by the American Red Cross.
The Caribbean Interdenominational Gospel Choir will provide song and a dance ensemble from the Bethel Baptist Church will perform. Tables will be set up around the garden with information from various organizations active in AIDS prevention.
Yvonne Zinicola, local Red Cross chapter manager, said she is still working on more musical offerings for the evening, including, hopefully, a steel orchestra. Data from the Virgin Islands show almost everyone in the territory knows someone whose life has been affected directly, or indirectly, by AIDS.
For more information, call Zinicola at 774-0375.
