KING'S COLLEGE -- The nation pauses to remember civil rights leader and preacher Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor his legacy by doing acts of service for the community and others.
Martin Luther King Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January, and this year it falls on Dr. King's actual birthday – January 15.
This year also marks 50 years since Dr. King was assassinated in April of 1968.
Events are planned all across our area to commemorate Dr. King and to continue his work.
Students at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by promising not just to post about it, but to speak out about issues that matter.
“A lot of people repost things on Twitter and stuff, but when it comes down to it, they won't have those conversations with people. They'll post about it but not talk about it,” King’s student Ida Dumbuya said.
“If we're not speaking up with our views, nothing is going to change,” King’s student Sara Ahmed said.
Students, faculty, and people from Wilkes-Barre all joined together in prayer asking for the strength and courage to live in a way that honor’s Dr. King’s legacy.
“There's still a lot of work to be done, clearly we've made progress but clearly in today's environment we also have to continue to fight and press on,” Keynote speaker Rev. Shawn Walker said.
The memory of Dr. King wasn’t lost on even the littlest, like 5-year-old Tenajah Johnson. Her church’s dance group performed.
“I practiced every day,” Johnson exclaimed.
“She gets to participate in something that's so meaningful and one day she'll get it. One day she'll understand it,” Jasmine Mack said of Johnson.
Another way the campus community is honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is by collecting warm coats throughout the week.
“Martin Luther King was about doing. He didn't just give speeches. He put his feet on the ground and marched. A coat drive is a good opportunity to serve. I'm glad we have that opportunity today,” Rev. Walker said.
People here hope Dr. King’s legacy is heard all year, not just on the holiday.
