From the petition of Holyoke resident Tyrone Bowie, through the hands of Ward 4 City Councilor Kocayne Givner and to the desk of Mayor Joshua García, May 19 is now Malcolm X Day. The celebrates the birthday of civil rights leader Malcolm X.

He was 39 years old when he was assassinated in 1965 in New York City.

Mayor García officially proclaimed May 19 Malcolm X Day. On hand to help celebrate was a gathering in the mayor’s office, and speakers Felicia Lundquist of Think Again consulting group for organizations seeking to put their aspirations of inclusion of all a reality; Christopher Lora, the youth coordinator for Pa’lante at the Holyoke High School, and Tyrone Bowie.