In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. day (January 16), Olivia Wilde joined a crew of stars at MLK Now 2017 to honor the legacy of the civil rights leader at Riverside Church in New York City.
The 32-year-old actress read a moving speech from First Lady Michelle Obama, while Desitny’s Child member Michelle Williams, Moonlight star Andre Holland, La La Anthony, and David Oyelowo – who portrayed Dr. King in the 2014 film Selma – also hit the stage to perform speeches at the special event.
“Today, I had the honor of reciting a speech by @michelleobama at powerful gathering of activists at Riverside Church in Harlem, organized by #blackoutforhumanrights,” Olivia captioned with her Instagram post after the event. “It was in this very church that Dr King gave his now famous anti-Vietnam war, pro-social justice, speech on April 4th, 1967, exactly one year before he was murdered.”
“Today, we performed speeches from several important activists throughout history, including Mandela, Audre Lorde, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Muhammad Ali, and more,” Olivia added. “I had the privilege of sharing these words from our formidable First Lady: “Strong men, men who are truly role models, don’t need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful.” There is no other place I would have preferred to spend this important day. Thank you to everyone who gathered, and vowed to stay strong, and committed, as we continue to resist injustice. ❤ #MLKnow”
