Eastern’s chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha will honor a national fraternity member, Martin Luther King, Jr., by sponsoring this year’s annual march at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

The event consists of a march from Thomas Hall to the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, where a short program will begin at 7 p.m. in the University Ballroom.

Tony Muse, the coordinator of this event, said the program is developing well.

“The program will also include a biographical video portrayal of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legendary life, a poetry reading and a performance by EIU’s Unity Gospel Choir,” Muse, a senior business management and marketing major, said Thursday.

Muse also mentioned that John Coffey, academic advisor in the College of Education and Professional Studies will share his interpretation of the Civil Rights Movement.

“Last year’s march had a turn out of around 200 people,” he said. Muse said he hopes for an increase in the number of attendees at this year’s event, despite the frigid weather and the three-day weekend.

Muse guaranteed a “night full of culture, unity and celebration of the dream.”

King was a civil rights activist who fought against segregation laws throughout the 1960’s. A great milestone in his career came in 1964, when a civil rights bill was passed that prohibited racial discrimination in public places. The bill also granted African Americans equal opportunities in employment and education. King was assassinated by James Earl Ray on April 4, 1968.

Refreshments will also be served.