MLK Day observed across the U.S.
A person stands with an umbrella in a steady rain at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington Jan. 18, 2015.
Monday marks the U.S. national holiday in memory of the fallen civil rights leader, who was assassinated in 1968.
Washington, D.C.
Renay Foster, of New York City, holds her niece Kamariyah Lambert, 6, as she closes her eyes during a prayer at a ceremony honoring MLK Day at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, in Washington, D.C.
Atlanta, Georgia
Christine King Farris, sister of Martin Luther King, Jr, receives the Distinguished Legacy of Service Award presented by the King Center, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, in Atlanta.
The award is presented during a gala dinner that is part of the annual celebrations surrounding the MLK holiday, and honors former President Bill CLinton for his work with the Clinton Foundation, and Clinton Global Initiative.
Washington, D.C.
A wreath sits at the base of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at the National Mall on January 19, 2015 in Washington, D.C. Visitors gather at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to celebrate MLK day.
Washington, D.C.
People bow their heads during a wreath laying ceremony at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on MLK Day, Jan. 19, 2015
Washington, D.C.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson (5th L) and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (5th R), along with Harry Johnson, President and CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation. participate in a wreath laying at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial during a ceremony on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on MLK Day, Jan. 19, 2015.
Martin Luther King day was marked by many celebrations across the country.
Oakland, California
Black rights protesters gather near illuminated letters spelling "DREAM" outside a house which they identified as the residence of Oakland, California Mayor Libby Schaaf, Jan. 19, 2015.
The group of about 30 demonstrators projected images of Martin Luther King Jr. onto the home's garage as they called on the mayor to fire police officers with violent records.
Washington, D.C.
A man and a child stand near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall on MLK Day, January 19, 2015, in Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King day was marked by many celebrations across the country.
St. Louis, Missouri
People chant while taking part in an annual march honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, in St. Louis. In addition to honoring Dr. King, many of the marchers protested recent killings by police.
St. Louis, Missouri
A man holds up a picture of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during an annual march in honor of the civil rights leader in St. Louis, Jan. 19, 2015.
In addition to honoring Dr. King, many of the marchers protested recent killings by police.
Philadelphia, Pennsylviana
Miriam Harris, center, of Baltimore, Maryland, shouts during a march to honor Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Monday, in Philadelphia, Jan. 19, 2015.
Atlanta, Georgia
Cal "Happy Preacher" Merrell holds a photo of Coretta Scott King during The King Center's 47th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service in Atlanta January 19, 2015. Tributes to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. were held around the United States on Monday as protests over the treatment of minorities by law enforcement rolled on across the country. Observers of Martin Luther King Jr. Day have this year linked the federal holiday to a rallying cry in recent months during demonstrations over police brutality: "Black lives matter." REUTERS/Berry (UNITED STATES - Tags: ANNIVERSARY SOCIETY POLITICS RELIGION) - RTR4M22Z
Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia Ann Breedlove stands up during a moment of prayer at a service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King preached, in Atlanta, Georgia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2015.
Atlanta, Georgia
U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., center, wipes away a tear as actor David Oyelowo, who portrays the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the movie "Selma," speaks during a service honoring King at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King preached, Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, in Atlanta.
Atlanta, Georgia
Larry Platt's jacket is seen adorned with pins at The King Center's 47th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service in Atlanta, Jan. 19, 2015.
Atlanta, Georgia
People sing "We Shall Overcome" at the conclusion of The King Center's 47th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service in Atlanta, Jan. 19, 2015.
Atlanta, Georgia
Randall Toussaint and his son Ethan visit the crypt of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, prior to The King Center's 47th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service in Atlanta, Jan. 19, 2015.
Tributes to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. were held around the United States on Monday as protests over the treatment of minorities by law enforcement rolled on across the country. Observers of Martin Luther King Jr. Day have this year linked the federal holiday to a rallying cry in recent months during demonstrations over police brutality: "Black lives matter."
Los Angeles, California
Members of a group named "Suits in Solidarity" hold signs while marching during the 30th annual Kingdom Day Parade in Los Angeles Monday, Jan. 19, 2015.
The 30th annual Kingdom Day Parade honored the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday under the theme "Love & Respect: Let It Begin With Me."
New York City
Protesters stage a "die-in" demonstration before they start a march against racism in New York, Jan. 19, 2015.
Critics of police treatment of minority residents in the US took part in various demonstration across the country coinciding with the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
New York City
Protesters stage a "die-in" demonstration before they start a march against racism in New York, Jan. 19, 2015.
New York City
Protesters display placards during a demonstration against racism in New York, Jan. 19, 2015.
New York City
Protesters march during a demonstration against racism in New York, Jan. 19, 2015.
New York City
People attend a Martin Luther King day rally in the Harlem section of New York City, Jan. 19, 2015.
New York City
T-shirts with the image of Martin Luther King and with the words "I can't breathe" are pictured for sale during a Martin Luther King day rally in the Harlem section oof New York City, Jan. 19, 2015
New York City
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, and civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton speak during a Martin Luther King day rally at the National Action Network in the Harlem section of New York City, Jan. 19, 2015.
Tributes to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. were held around the United States on Monday as protests over the treatment of minorities by law enforcement rolled on across the country.
New York City
Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton carries a wreath, flanked by Eric Garner's mother Gwen Carr, left, and widow Esaw Garner, right, at the site where two uniformed officers were killed in December by a gunman in Brooklyn, New York.
Wenjian Liu, 32, and Rafael Ramos, 40, were ambushed and fatally shot on December 20, 2014 by a killer who said he wanted to avenge the deaths of two unarmed black men, one of whom was Eric Garner, this summer in encounters with white officers.
Miami, Florida
A young girl watches during a parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami, Monday, Jan. 19, 2015.
Washington, D.C.
President Barack Obama sits alongside children as he participates in a literacy project at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Washington, D.C., Jan. 19, 2015.
Washington, D.C.
Malia Obama, right, the eldest daughter of U.S. President Barack Obama, works on a literacy project with children during a day of service at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, in celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday in Washington, D.C., Jan. 19, 2015.
Washington, D.C.
Early morning light shines on the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on MLK Day, Jan. 19, 2015.