Martin Luther King Jr. Day takes on added significance in the age of Trump
MADISON, Wis. - Landing between President Barack Obama’s last major public appearance and President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, this Martin Luther King Jr. Day takes on added significance.
At his farewell address in Chicago, President Barack Obama sought to leave a lasting message of unity, citing young people’s embrace of diversity as evidence racial tensions are improving.
However, many cite the rhetoric of the president-elect as a sign of much work left to be done to honor Dr. King.
On the same day that Americans celebrate King’s legacy, his son Martin Luther King III is scheduled to meet President-elect Trump at Trump Tower in New York. Mr. Trump also took to Twitter, exhorting his social media followers to “honor him” because he was a “great man.”
However, the tweet and meeting comes amid lingering tensions between the president-elect and Congressman John Lewis. Lewis is the civil rights icon who said Trump is not a “legitimate president” and therefore he will not attend the inauguration. Trump responded in a Twitter rant, saying that Lewis -- one of the leaders of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee that was crucial to the success of the Civil Rights movement -- was “all talk” and that he should focus on the “burning and crime infested inner-cities.”
That exchange has added fuel to the criticism that the incoming presidential administration could undo many of the gains made by President Obama in the name of King’s and the Civil Rights movement’s legacies. Many Democratic congressman have cited the Trump-Lewis feud as the reason they will avoid the inauguration.
Amid the backdrop of uncertainty and tension, civil rights leaders and activists are gathering across the country to publicly pay tribute to Dr. King.
In addition to all of the country’s National Parks having free admission, cities and communities across the nation are marking the occasion with events, concerts, speeches and marches. Below is a small sampling of some of the events across the nation today.
ATLANTA
The birthplace of King will be hosting several events in honor of his holiday.
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a frequent Trump critic, is scheduled to speak, at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King preached, along with King’s youngest child, Bernice King, and several other speakers.
CBS Atlanta affiliate WGCL reports there will be several other events around the city, including free admission and special screenings at the Atlanta History Center, and a special performance at the Center for Civil and Human Rights.
CHARLOTTE
The Charlotte area is hosting several public events and speeches, as well as offering free admission to various museums and centers that celebrate the King legacy, CBS Charlotte affiliate WBTV reports.
The city also boast a large parade in honor of the holiday.
DALLAS
The Dallas-Forth Worth area boasts one of the nation’s largest MLK Day parades, reports CBS Dallas.
After three decades, the event at Fair Park continues to grow. This year’s theme is ‘Breaking the Chains of Injustice.’
Some of King’s famous words are written on the parade floats that will be rolling through the streets.
DENVER
The city will also be hosting a large parade through downtown, followed by an event commemorating the holiday. CBS Denver reports the city has already hosted interfaith celebration of King’s legacy, and claims the Denver parade is also among the nation’s largest.
NEW YORK
There will be dozens of events, concerts, and speeches throughout the city to celebrate the holiday, reports CBS New York.
Additionally, the city has put out its annual call to volunteer in honor of King’s legacy.
