(WXXI News & AP) Among the local activities for Monday’s observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was the annual celebration held at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester.
It’s organized by the Greater Rochester MLK Jr. Commission, and its chair, Simeon Banister says the theme this year was ‘the presence of justice.’
“The goal is not to just sit quietly by and allow for the retrogression of justice, but that we want to be active and engaged and ensure that justice continues to persist," Banister told WXXI News.
The keynote speaker was Reverend Kirsten Foy. He is regional director for the National Action Network, and also spoke about the need for Americans to be active in fighting racism and seeking justice.
“We have to move our institutions to a place where they are prepared and willing to change and transform to become more relevant to the times.”
Both Foy and Banister say that recent events, involving comments made by President-elect Donald Trump in response to remarks made by Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis are on the minds of a lot of people talking about Dr. King and civil rights.
On Monday Trump called on Americans to honor Martin Luther King Jr. for ``all of the many wonderful things that he stood for.''
Trump, was scheduled to meet with King's son later in the day, may be trying to put behind him the controversy over his criticism of John Lewis, a black congressman and civil rights icon.
In a message sent on Twitter on Monday, Trump said: ``Celebrate Martin Luther King Day and all of the many wonderful things that he stood for. Honor him for being the great man that he was!''
Lewis, a Democrat from Georgia, had angered Trump by calling him an ``illegitimate president'' and saying he would not attend the inauguration.
