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Despite extreme weather, MLK Jr. Day celebrated across nation

Every year, the nation comes together on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor the civil rights activist and his fight for peace, justice and equity.
Posted at 5:13 PM, Jan 15, 2024

Prayer services, parades, and acts of service: These are the many ways communities around the country are celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"Dr. King would be the first to say: Though we have come far, we still have far to go. In this moment, it is up to us to fight," said Vice President Kamala Harris during her keynote address at the NAACP's "King Day at the Dome" event in South Carolina. The event highlighted issues of gun violence, book bans, voting rights and reproductive freedom. 

"The great Coretta Scott King once said: 'Freedom is never truly won. You earn it and win it in every generation.' At this moment in history, I say: Let us not throw up our hands. Instead, let us roll up our sleeves. We were born for a time such as this," VIce President Harris continued.

In Philadelphia, for the third year in a row, President Joe Biden spent the day volunteering with the hunger relief organization Philabundance.

In Washington D.C., many gathered with King's son Martin Luther King III and his family for an annual wreath-laying event at the activist's memorial. 

As services for Martin Luther King Jr. Day continue, others are canceling their in-person events due to extreme weather challenges. 

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis is holding a virtual celebration in honor of what would be King's 95th birthday. 

War in Gaza, US election are impacting events planned for MLK holiday
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background.

War in Gaza, US election are impacting events planned for MLK holiday

Monday also marks 100 days since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in southern Israel that killed some 1,200 and led to roughly 240 being taken hostage.

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