Chicago leaders urge end of racial injustice amid MLK Day celebrations
CHICAGO (WLS) -- On Monday, the Chicago area marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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The Rainbow PUSH Coalition hosted their 36th annual reception for hundreds to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The event was themed "Building a Beloved Community." It celebrated MLK's legacy and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Chicago's very own Leo High School Boys' Choir performed.
The event was headlined by journalist Don Lemon.
Chicago and state leaders in attendance agreed that society needs to continue combatting racial injustice, economic inequality and educational inequities.
"As Rev. Jackson said, when we stand together, we stand tall. And that's what this stage looks like. We are standing tall for justice. We're standing tall for peace. We're standing tall against racism and bigotry," Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said.
Leaders voiced concerns about a number of things, from voting rights to civil rights.
Many politicians are using the day to take aim at President Donald Trump's recent comments on Greenland.
"I think, sitting here today, I don't believe anyone in this room is surprised or shocked at the extent of evil that is manifesting in our political atmosphere today," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said.
Leaders invoked the legacy of King, but said he wanted people to not simply admire his dream, but instead to carry it forward.
"What will each and every one of you hear today, when you leave this room? Because carrying the dream forward requires more than reflection, it requires participation," Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch said.
Political leaders joined those from Rainbow PUSH in warning about what they called attacks on democracy.
"I can't help but think about the parallels between the moment in history when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr stepped up to lead and the moment that we are in right now," Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said.
"So how can we not stand up and join the effort and join the push, and join what we're trying to do now, which is push back against a tyranny that is coming out of Washington, D.C.'s White House," Sen. Tammy Duckworth said.
Many area Democrats applauded this day as a chance to keep hope alive.
"I just encourage people that are being challenged, ironically by our own government, to lean into the teachings of Dr. King," former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.
Leaders are also hoping to also build momentum heading into the November elections, by getting more people registered to vote and then to the polls.
Jackson could not attend the event because of recent health issues. His son, Congressman Jonathan Jackson, said his father is doing well.
"Rev. Martin Luther King was an American prophet. In his 1966, he wrote a book that was published in '67 called 'Chaos or Community.' And right now, these are the things that have come to pass. We're living in a chaotic time," Jackson said.
Jesse Jackson's son, Yusef, is now carrying the torch.
"We see our streets militarized, the rule of law narrowed and abandoned, the right to vote restricted, civil rights enforcement neutered, free speech and peaceful protest, not chilled, but ICE-frozen," Yusef Jackson said.
The DuSable Black History Museum celebrated 64 years through a meaningful day of service, connection and inspiration.
The nation's oldest independent African American museum invited everyone to join in the spirit of love, service and impact.
Volunteers are encouraged to support those in need by donating new, warm winter items, including hats, gloves, scarves, hoodies, coats, socks and blankets.
It started at 10 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. at 740 E. 56th Place.
And hundreds of volunteers are beautifying schools across Chicago's South Side for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of service.
They're painting murals to remind young students of MLK's power and legacy.
Organic Oneness raised $75,000 to create designs using only bright colors in order to uplift and inspire.
"It makes me feel really proud to see how, like, Black people have evolved from slaves to where they are now," volunteer Maya Varnado, 11, said.
Varnado has been volunteering for Martin Luther King Day for the last four years. She wants her time giving back to be a constant reminder to every student of the value of their heritage.
"Be grateful and happy, and remember, like, why we're doing this for Martin Luther King," Varnado said.
The Organic Oneness MLK Day of service began with breakfast and dancing to celebrate unity over at DuSable High School before over 30 organizations and 350 volunteers dispersed across Chicago's South Side to paint murals at places like Ray Elementary School and Imagine Englewood.
"The walls of the school speak on how you feel about your school community. We want to make sure that our school is a beautiful place for our scholars because we love them," Woodson Elementary Principal Tamara Littlejohn said.
"The best moment is when you see a kid, especially down maybe this high, and they're looking at it with big eyes, right?" Organic Oneness founder Kelsey Taylor said.
That magic, Taylor says, has inspired him to do the event for the last eight years.
"To have a day off didn't feel right. To be at work didn't feel right and something like this felt right," Taylor said.
"I want to make sure there are parts that the average person could engage in painting in also. But yet, there's still some elements in it that looks professional at the same time," Organic Oneness lead mural artist Rahmaan Static said.
Each mural is created so that anyone who wants to pick up a paintbrush can do just that. The goal is to engage people from all walks of life, races and ages, extending Dr. King's legacy of generational impact.
"It makes you associate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with being together, and that's the goal," Taylor said.
The work doesn't stop for MLK Day. Organic Oneness has several community events coming up throughout the year.
