Last week, there was quite a celebration in downtown Oklahoma City to recognize of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Much of the weekend was dedicated to related events, including a prayer breakfast, the annual MLK spiritual celebration, and a cross-cultural program held at the Temple B’nai Israel. All were held Jan 17.
On the official holiday celebration Monday, Jan 18th, a bell ringing event at the Oklahoma History Center heralded the start of the downtown parade.
“The world is in need of more love and peace and less hatred and violence,” said Council on American Islamic Executive Director, Razi Hashmi at a speech in Midtown. “Can you imagine a world where young people build bridges, and not bombs? That is the world we need to seek to create, this is yet another step towards the fulfillment of the dream.”
Soon after King’s assassination in 1968, the rally for a holiday celebrating his life began. Civil rights activists, plus black and white people nationwide joined to bring this holiday to fruition. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday in to law in 1983, but its first U.S. observation was not recognized until 1986. The words of Dr. King continue to inspire the nation.
At first, some states resisted observing the holiday, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000, another 32 years after the civil rights leader’s death.
“Challenges Beyond the Dream” was the theme of the Oklahoma City parade this year. Members of the local chapter of the National Association of Black Veterans served as Parade Marshals, and honorary marshals include pioneer civil rights leaders, Ms. Clara Luper and Ed Stamps as well as Michael Gibson, Chairman of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Martin Luther King (MLK) Day is celebrated on the third Monday of January each year. Events for the MLK weekend are organized by the Oklahoma City Martin Luther King Coalition. For more information, call William Jones at (405) 306-8440 or Garland Pruitt at (405) 473-6152.
