MLK Jr. holiday celebrations include acts of service and parades, but some take a political turn
Scoop USA Newspaper|January 23, 2024
Communities across the nation celebrated the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday with acts of service, prayer services, and parades. But with the November presidential election as a backdrop, some events took on an overtly political turn.
MLK Jr. holiday celebrations include acts of service and parades, but some take a political turn

In King's hometown of Atlanta, several speakers at the 56th annual commemorative service at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King served as pastor, touched on the divisive partisan climate in the United States.

Former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, who served on the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, had harsh words for Trump, whom she did not mention by name. On that day, Trump's supporters tried to block Congress from counting the Electoral College votes that would affirm Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential race.

"A former president refuses to acknowledge that he lost, and he has convinced millions that our elections and our democracy no longer work," she said. "He threatens the foundations of our nation and everything Dr. King persevered to save."

She also criticized some religious leaders for the way they seemed to worship Trump, not God. U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, the longtime senior pastor of Ebenezer, told the audience, "You better stand up and vote!" to rousing applause. "If your vote didn't count, why are folks trying so hard to keep you from voting? Stand and use your voice. Stand up and use your vote. Speak up!"

Bernice King, the daughter of the late civil rights leader, warned that "our humanity is literally under attack." But she noted that her father's legacy of nonviolence taught the world that "we can defeat injustice, ignorance and hold people accountable at the same time without seeking to destroy, diminish, demean or cancel them."

This story is from the January 23, 2024 edition of Scoop USA Newspaper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 23, 2024 edition of Scoop USA Newspaper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SCOOP USA NEWSPAPERView All
Supplemental Security Income for children with disabilities
Scoop USA Newspaper

Supplemental Security Income for children with disabilities

Did you know that Social Security's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides cash payments to children with disabilities whose families have limited income and resources?

time-read
2 mins  |
July 02, 2024
Keeping Camden Clean
Scoop USA Newspaper

Keeping Camden Clean

Mayor Carstarphen and volunteers continue their clean-up events in the Camden Community to achieve their goal of a cleaner and safer community for the county's residents.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 02, 2024
The State of Chester City
Scoop USA Newspaper

The State of Chester City

Six months into his term in office, Chester Mayor Stefan Roots gave his first \"State of the City \"address on Tuesday morning on Widener's campus in Latham Hall.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 02, 2024
That Girl Lay Lay hits Philly with concert
Scoop USA Newspaper

That Girl Lay Lay hits Philly with concert

Have you heard of Alaya \"That Girl Lay Lay\" High? If you are in your early teens, you do? This young rap artist took the industry by storm.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 02, 2024
Project 2025 is the new Southern Manifesto
Scoop USA Newspaper

Project 2025 is the new Southern Manifesto

\"Project 25 is a radical, extreme, pro-authoritarianism plan pushed by conservatives who are desperate to take our country backward.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 02, 2024
CIVICS 101
Scoop USA Newspaper

CIVICS 101

The first official \"Law of the Land\" for American citizens was and is the United States Constitution.

time-read
4 mins  |
July 02, 2024
Pope Francis believes the world needs to laugh more. He's right
Scoop USA Newspaper

Pope Francis believes the world needs to laugh more. He's right

As an experienced class clown who long has felt the power of comedy to be vastly underappreciated, I was more than tickled to hear that Pope Francis had invited more than 100 comedians to an audience at the Vatican.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 02, 2024
School in West Africa enjoys the benefits of growing partnership with Franklin Towne Charter Elementary School
Scoop USA Newspaper

School in West Africa enjoys the benefits of growing partnership with Franklin Towne Charter Elementary School

PHILADELPHIA, June 2024 - For the young students of the Benia International School in Duazon, Liberia, the shipment was an answered prayer.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 02, 2024
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker launches extended day, extended year school initiative
Scoop USA Newspaper

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker launches extended day, extended year school initiative

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker unveiled details for a high-priority Parker Administration initiative Extended Day, Extended Year School. Today's announcement is an important component of Mayor Parker's goal to provide economic opportunity for all Philadelphians.

time-read
3 mins  |
July 02, 2024
Pennsylvania court will decide whether skill game terminals are gambling machines
Scoop USA Newspaper

Pennsylvania court will decide whether skill game terminals are gambling machines

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP)-Pennsylvania's highest court will decide whether the cash-paying electronic game terminals that have become commonplace in convenience stores, bars, and elsewhere are unlicensed gambling machines and, as a result, must be shut down.

time-read
2 mins  |
July 02, 2024