Parades, Service Events Honor Martin Luther King's Legacy

Thousands of people across the country paid homage Monday to Martin Luther King Jr., marking the 30th anniversary of the federal holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader.

Events celebrating King's life were held across the country. In Atlanta, the King Center celebrated the holiday with a remembrance ceremony at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Meanwhile, civil rights leaders in South Carolina marched to their state capitol as in past years when their rally highlighted calls to remove the Confederate flag from Statehouse grounds.

King's legacy was also be celebrated in Washington, D.C.

FBI Director James Comey laid a wreath at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The memorial is located at 1964 Independence Avenue; the address is a direct reference to the Civil Rights Act.

Thousands also gathered in Southeast Washington Monday morning for the 10th annual MLK Peace Walk and Parade.

The peace walk began at 11 a.m. at 2498 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. During the walk, there will be rolling street closures along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. The walk will end at 620 Milwaukee Place SE, and the parade will form. The parade will then head southwest on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, ending in the 4200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. 

Events, celebrations and tributes for King will also be held in other parts of the D.C. area. 

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The Kennedy Center and Georgetown University will host "Let Freedom Ring!," a musical tribute featuring gospel artist Yolanda Adams. The 6 p.m. concert is free to the public. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Go here for more information

The city of Rockville, Maryland, will honor residents who are continuing King's legacy. The 44th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. day of celebration will begin at 10  a.m. at Richard Montgomery High School. 

The day will also be marked as a day of service. 

In Fairfax, Virginia, children at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia will make seed balls for 4-H, pack dental hygiene kits for the community and make door hangers for local senior communities. A few miles away, volunteers at George Mason University will make Valentine's Day crads for children who were formerly in foster care. 

Volunteers in Montgomery County will package 100,000 meals for area food banks. If you're interested in helping, go here

Other volunteer opportunities in the D.C. area can be found here

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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