A full crowd gathered in the Shapiro Campus Center atrium yesterday to hear four speakers commemorate the life and vision of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Rev. Nathaniel Mays, assistant dean for student life and diversity services, introduced the three other speakers. He told the audience that King had visited Brandeis twice, with his last visit occurring in 1963.

Mays said that although King was only 39 at the time of his assassination, his eloquent speeches and leadership tactics for protesters live on to this day. "It doesn't matter how old you are," Mays said. "If you want to make a difference ... and are sincere in your efforts it can happen."

Justin Moore '04, president of the Brandeis Black Student Organization (BBSO) was the next speaker. "Most of us would be in a very different place right now if it wasn't for the efforts of Martin Luther King, Jr."

Moore said King's legacy of activism encouraged Brandeis students to overtake Ford Hall in 1969. That action led to the formation of the African and African-American Studies department and the initial idea of an Intercultural Center.

Next, Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholar Solsire Zevallos '04 said she had benefited from King's activism by receiving the scholarship named for him. "Brandeis University has taken action in this world. Affirmative action," she said. Zevallos said she is working to ensure that more minorities like her are given similar educational opportunities.

Finally, Trinity College professor Johnny Williams, Ph.D. '94 spoke about implementing dreams through action. He said that during his time as a Brandeis graduate student, the Intercultural Center was created as the product of student activism.

Williams said Brandeis still has a relatively small population of underrepresented minority students. He said he encourages current students to mobilize with the help of minority alumni. "Y'all can't let Jehuda Reinharz get away with that stuff," he said. "Take his office over."

Additionally, Williams said he is opposed to President Bush's plans to attack Iraq. "Why are we going to war?" he said. "I still can't figure it out." He said the lives of wealthy, white straight males and their profit motives are being valued above the disproportionate number of minorities in the military who will be sent to fight in Iraq.

Williams said he encourages Congress to bring back the draft, because that will make students have an increased stake in Bush's decision to go to war.

Williams also had more general activism advice for students. He encouraged potential activists to start protesting now, because "once you start here, you're not going to stop." "I charge you today in continuing the civil rights movement," he said.

Following the speeches, a video about the civil rights movement was shown.

Organizers said they were pleased with the event's outcome. "I think that turnout was excellent," Moore said. "It is a prime example of how King's legacy affects us, 50 to 60 years later." He also encouraged students to attend February Black History month events sponsored by BBSO. The opening ceremonies will be held Feb. 3.