Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking against the Vietnam War, St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota. April 27, 1967.
In 1961, Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Mankato to give a speech where he reminded his audience, “the time is always right to do the right thing.”
Dr. King returned to Minnesota in 1963, and spoke to a crowd of 3,000 in Northrop Auditorium about the unfinished work still facing the Civil Rights Movement. Earlier in the day, he held an airport press conference, outlining the success of the freedom rides in gaining integrated bus services in over 150 cities.
Four years later, in 1967, Dr. King visited Minnesota for the final time, speaking out against the rapidly escalating Vietnam War – which received a positive response from his largely student audience on the U of M's St. Paul campus. The Minneapolis Tribune commended Dr. King’s fight for Civil Rights, but that speaking out against the war was a mistake. One year after his appearance in Minnesota, Dr. King was shot on April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis.
While typical Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations can’t occur this year because of COVID-19, there are still events happening that commemorate Dr. King’s legacy. As the country continues to grapple with white supremacy, his words are a prescient reminder: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A Virtual Celebration
Minnesotans of all ages are invited by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan to the 36th Annual State of Minnesota Celebration Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The 25-minute celebration video will premier January 17 on the Governor’s YouTube channel. mn.gov
2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast
Join the virtual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast and fundraiser to benefit UNCF Twin Cities in helping local students of color get to and through college. Appearances will be made by CNN host Laura Coates, MPR’s Angela Davis, president of UNCF Michael L Lomax, and spoken word artist H. Adam Harris. There will also be a performance by special musical guest KNOWN. This event begins at 8:45 AM. January 17. mlkbreakfast.com
41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert
Streaming live from Ted Mann Concert Hall on January 16, this tribute concert will feature musical performances by U of M students and the greater Twin Cities community. This event is hosted and curated by the U of M School of Music alumnus G. Phillip Shoultz, III of VocalEssence. diversity.umn.edu
Powderhorn Neighborhood MLK Day Celebration
Attend the 24th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebrator in-person at Powderhorn Park or online on Facebook or YouTube. This year the celebration will focus on the call to have Biden and the Senate to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Advocacy hopes to gather on January 17th in support of passing these equal voting acts. ppna.org
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Tributes to Dr. King’s life and legacy will take place throughout the day at several park locations on January 17. An evening celebration will take place at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, which will honor the recipient of the Living the Dream Award. There will also be a special musical performance from Vocal Essences Singers of this Age. minneapolisparks.org
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration & Town Hall
Minneapolis Community and Technical College will host a virtual celebration January 20 at 11:30 A.M. to reflect on Dr. King’s dedication to equality and the mid-century civil rights movement. The event will feature the college’s president Sharon Pierce and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. At 3:00 P.M. join the virtual town hall event with Raymond Wise Ph. D, of Indiana University. minneapolis.edu
MLK Now Past and Future
BOB Rewards Club presents MLK Now 2022, which celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his birthday, January 15 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. There will be special guest speakers, live entertainment, kids’ activities, a gaming lounge competition, and buffet. This event will also be live streamed at: mlknow2022.com
Robert Robinson Presents “A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
Robert Robinson will take over the Dunsmore Jazz Room at Crooners on January 16 to honor Dr. King with gospel and contemporary music. Doors open at 4:00 P.M. and the show begins at 5:00 P.M. eventbrite.com
