KINGSTON, R.I. - On Thursday, Oct. 6, the University of Rhode Island will commemorate the 56th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s visit to the University's Kingston Campus with a speaking program and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in Keaney Gymnasium.

The event will begin at 3 p.m. in Keaney Gymnasium.

The revered civil rights leader delivered a speech on the status of race relations in the U.S. to a capacity crowd of 5,000 in Keaney on Oct. 5, 1966. The 14-inch by 24-inch plaque carries an image of King taken during his visit and a quote from his speech: "In spite of the tensions of this moment, in spite of the setbacks, in spite of my personal frustrations, my deep disappointments, in spite of some of the developments that are so confusing taking place today, I believe that we are still going to win our freedom. Our goal is freedom and I believe that we are going to get there because ultimately the goal of America is freedom and I have not lost faith in America."

Speakers at the event will include URI President Marc B. Parlange; Vice President for Community, Equity and Diversity Sean Edmund Rogers; and Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn. Students Trinity Smith ('24), Emmanuel Gomes ('24), Hasna Badji ('24), and John Erby ('23), all members of the Minority Student Athletes Crew; and Daryl Mensah ('24), of the Multicultural Student Services Center, will read excerpts from King's 1966 speech.

Parking for visitors will be available in the Keaney Lot (Lot 26) and the Boss Lot (Lot 27). See the URI Map for locations.

Media wishing to cover the event should contact Anthony LaRoche, URI Communications and Marketing, no later than Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 4 p.m. Reach him at 401-874-4894; cell, 401-837-8275; or Anthony_laroche@uri.edu.