The event started with the color guard from Kagman High School presenting the flags and Ambrose Bennett and Leo Goode leading the singing of the US national anthem, the CNMI national anthem, and the Negro national anthem, followed by a short benediction.
Attorney Joe Hill was a key organizer, and he gave some remarks at the commemoration. Assistant Attorney General Shelli Neal and Ms. Delos Santos were emcees. We also watched a short address from Congressman Gregorio (Kilili) Sablan, presented via video.
Steve Woodruff, Ms. Delos Santos, Shelli Neal, ?, Brad Pennington, Jesse Pennington, Judge Ken Govendo, Rabbi Sayed, Jane Mack; photo by Anna Rose DLG
I had been asked to speak on a very broad subject--the challenge of justice in the CNMI--and was especially asked to give a little bit of historical context from MLSC's time in Micronesia.
I identified various kinds of justice--social, economic, legal--and pared the subject down to the narrowest bit of what I know: legal justice in the context of MLSC's mission.
clipped from Saipan Tribune 1/18/2011
MLSC has been in operation since 1971, and I have been here since 1984, so I spoke about the changes I've seen and some of the challenges. I talked about technology changes, but also noted that the challenges from adapting to new technology (and the frustration with technology in Micronesia) are small compared to challenges of attitudes and entrenched thinking. I talked about the radical concept of equal access to justice and the ambivalence even found in LSC, which is dedicated to providing free lawyers to poor people, but then ties our hands with restrictions like no class actions and no challenges to welfare legislation, etc. I closed with recognizing the challenge of staying committed when the going gets tough, and how very difficult it is right now in the CNMI with the economy barely functioning and crime paying better profits than work. And of course, the very end was a call to continue seeking justice.
My speech was an introductory sort of speech, just to warm up the audience for the keynote address by Jesse Pennington. He is an attorney who worked for MLSC in the 1970's (about 1974), but also has had a long connection to the civil rights movement in the US. He had met Dr. King and had his own escape from violence in Mississippi, events and encounters he related as he built his theme about the importance of being a witness and continuing the message in today's world.
clipped from Saipan Tribune, 1/18/2011
His inspirational presentation moved back and forth from remembrance to insight to reflection.
Brad and Jesse Pennington (son and father); photo by Jane Mack
When we were finished, there was a question and answer session that also added depth to the analysis and thinking that was going on. There were some awards and thank yous, and a closing benediction.
Brad and Jesse Pennington, Willie Bundridge (one of the event organizers and who commented that this year's commemoration was better than last year's!); photo by Jane Mack
All in all, it was a very worthwhile commemoration and day.
You can see more photos by Saipan Tribune photographer Haidee v. Eugenio here.
Anna Rose Deleon Guerrero with Brad and Jesse Pennington; photo by Jane Mack
