Northland honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

DULUTH, Minn. — People across the Northland spent the day honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by continuing the long-standing tradition of marching, reflection, and celebration.

The annual MLK Day celebration, organized by the Duluth NAACP, began with a community breakfast at the First United Methodist Church. Around noon, attendees marched through the DECC’s skywalk,
originally planned to be outside before the cold weather came through. The march was followed by a rally featuring speakers, music, and performances, all centered around the theme, “Make a Career of Humanity,” and Dr. King’s ongoing call for justice and equality.

“When Duluth shows up at community, this is just gorgeous. It is Duluth strong. And in this community, that’s where we see the hope,” said Jojo Coffin’langdon,
pastor at the United Church of Two Harbors. And in these kids, in all the ages and all the colors, that’s where our hope is. That’s where our future is.”

That sense of hope is being carried forward by the next generation, like Adeline Seele, a longtime attendee who says, showing up is their way of continuing Dr. King’s work.

“It is important because this is still my community,” said Adeline Seele, attendee. “They will always support me, and I’ll support them, and these are the people that I know care about making change in our world, in our community, and it’s important, almost like a reunion of living out the legacy of Dr King, how we can bring that to our community today, still.”

For those looking to help support the annual MLK Day events, the Duluth NAACP says community donations help keep the celebrations free and open to the public.