SPOKANE, Wash. — Hundreds gathered in downtown Spokane Monday to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with events that served as both a celebration and a call to action.
The celebrations were hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and kicked off with a unity rally. The Spokane community took in songs born from the civil rights movement and speeches that reflected both the progress made and challenges that remain.
“Today we gather to honor Doctor Martin Luther King and not only as a dreamer, but as a fighter for justice, dignity and equality,” one speaker said.
Organizers urged those in attendance to use the day off to further Dr. King’s mission of service, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of his message.
“This is the moment that we stop treating Dr. King like a memory and start treating him like a mission,” another speaker said.
Dr. Melissa Mace, executive director of Spokane NAACP, challenged the crowd to step outside their comfort zones.
“Today I challenge you to embrace discomfort, ask difficult questions, and seek genuine understanding of those who are different from you,” Mace said.
Following the rally, the community marched through downtown Spokane. Participants carried signs and recognized that Dr. King’s message of equality remains relevant today.
“I think it’s very important with everything that’s going on in our world to promote unity and community,” one marcher said. “I think it’s very important that we stand up for people who don’t look like us. People who don’t have the same backgrounds as us and promote peace and justice.”
The marchers carried the same dream Dr. King shared years ago, recognizing that the work doesn’t just happen on MLK Day, but every day.
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