The Town of Hempstead is celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday by lighting up its iconic clock tower red and green.

Town Supervisor John Ferretti says the colors are rooted in the pan-African flag and represent Black history and culture.

“We want to preach unity,” Ferretti said. “We are one community that will never tolerate any type of hate or bigotry. And I think by commemorating that on Dr. Martin Luther King Day with this lighting of the clock tower, red and green, it really symbolizes unity and our rejection of hate of any kind here in the Town of Hempstead.”

The clock tower is often lit up on other holidays, but this is the first time the town has done this for MLK Day.

Ferretti says he plans to continue the tradition every year.