Local officials, community join together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

NYC honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with acts of service

Across NYC and the Tri-State, officials and community members are joining together to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with events and acts of service. Kemberly Richardson has the story.

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN (WABC) -- Americans across the nation are paying tribute to civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, and in the Tri-State he is being honored with events and acts of service.

"Let's make it a great day of community service," said Yolanda Renee King, Dr. King's granddaughter. "A day of brotherhood. A day of sisterhood. A day of using your platform for good."

Several events are taking in the five boroughs to honor Dr. King, including the Brooklyn Academy of Music's annual tribute.

The event was attended by Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, along with civil leaders and members of the community.

Others are honoring the civil rights icon by taking time to perform a day of service.

In Washington Heights, dozens of volunteers for the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York honored King with a day of service. They packed food for City Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors struggling with food insecurity.

The meals will support people in need throughout NYC, Long Island and Westchester County.

Reverend Al Sharpton held an event at the National Action Network in in Harlem on Monday evening, looking back at the legacy of Dr. King and what's ahead.

Across NYC and the Tri-State, officials and community members are joining together to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with events and acts of service. Darla Miles has the story.

The annual celebration for New Yorkers and those elected to represent them sets the tone each year for addressing racial inequities and social justice.

"The lack of justice in the north is just as egregious as it is in the south," Sharpton said.

In Newark, there was a celebration of the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In song and dance they celebrated his spirit.

In Newark, there was a celebration of the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In song and dance they celebrated his spirit.

Hochul announced that New York State landmarks will be lit red, green and black on Monday night, including One World Trade Center, Grand Central Terminal, Niagara Falls, the Kosciuszko Bridge and more.

"Amidst the recent rise in bigotry, division, and hate across this country, it is more important than ever that we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s teachings on justice, peace, equality and love," Governor Hochul said. "Here in New York, we must recommit ourselves to these same principals and work towards a more united New York where all residents can live and thrive in peace."

King would have turned 94 on Sunday. President Joe Biden delivered a speech during Sunday service at King's Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

King's only living sister was in attendance for Biden's speech.

"We have to choose a community over chaos, are we that people are going to choose love over hate?" Biden said. "These are the vital questions of our time and the reason why I'm here as your president. I believe dr. King's life and legacy show us the way we should pay attention."

It was 60 years ago King organized the pivotal march on Washington in August of 1963 where thousands showed up in support of civil rights.

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