Roseland Heights Community Association

Celebrate Life and Mission of Martin Luther King, Jr.

#BlackLivesMatter: Slow Roll Chicago Hosting Freedom Ride

To Celebrate Life and Mission of Martin Luther King, Jr.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 8, 2015

Chicago, IL – A community-focused cycling organization is holding a bike ride open to the public to recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 19. Those interested in celebrating his life and mission can gather at 11 a.m. Monday for a meet-and-greet at A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum (10406 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago) with some light refreshments before the ride, which will start at noon.

“For the Big Marsh Freedom Ride: Proudly Riding for Physical, Mental, & Spiritual Freedom, we ride on Martin Luther King holiday to celebrate him as a man,” says Olatunji Oboi Reed, Slow Roll Chicago co-founder. “This feels especially significant to do now, during this historic time of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. We support the current, crucial need to get transportation opportunities to under-served, predominantly-black neighborhoods in Chicago.”

The ride is also intended to promote the concepts of physical, mental, and spiritual freedom, adds Reed, saying Slow Roll will celebrate the importance of people being themselves and being protected while doing so.

The Big Marsh Freedom Ride will start and end at the museum, with a mid-point at Big Marsh Park, located near 115^th Street at Stony Island. The ride will total around 7.6 miles. The event is sponsored by SRAM and is held in partnership with the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum and Friends of Big Marsh. Special thanks is offered to Trails for Illinois and West Town Bikes.

Riders are advised to dress warmly by wearing multiple layers. Organizers strongly recommend wearing warm head, face, and neck coverings as well as warm gloves and doubled-up warm socks. Warm boots are also highly suggested. 

About Slow Roll Chicago

Slow Roll Chicago is a community-focused bicycle ride in Chicago founded by Jamal Julien and Olatunji Oboi Reed in 2014. Slow Roll Chicago rides on a regular basis from April to October. The ride meets at various locations and venues and takes a unique route for each ride. Slow Roll is for everyone, as all ages, skill levels and types of bikes are welcome. The name Slow Roll comes from the commitment to a slow pace, keeping groups safe and giving riders a unique perspective of the city of Chicago and its beautiful neighborhoods. An amazing and diverse group joins Slow Roll from all over the Chicago area and beyond. The positive energy and community-driven atmosphere keeps people coming back and sharing the Slow Roll Chicago experience with their family and friends. Follow Slow Roll Chicago on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Contact

To learn more about this event, please contact Meryl Williams, Meryl Williams Media, by emailing her MerylWilliamsMedia@gmail.com.

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