The frigid temperatures across the state didn’t deter people from venturing out into the community to celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. The MSR attended a few of these events. See photo highlights below.
The State of Minnesota held its 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at The Ordway Theater in St. Paul. Over 2,000 people were in attendance for the event including Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan.
Shortly after Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan arrived, pro-Palestinian protesters shouted from the second-floor balcony, criticizing the governor for sending U.S. tax dollars to support Israel. The event resumed as planned shortly after the protest.
In Minneapolis, the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association (PPNA), in collaboration with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) held its 26th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at the Powderhorn Park Recreation Center.
Around 500 people showed up to the event, which featured esteemed theater veteran Greta Oglesby, dancer and choreographer Zhané Jackson, and Lane Brown as the special guests. The event was family-friendly and interactive.
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Also in Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) held its Annual King Holiday Celebration at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rec Center. The event was on a much smaller scale than some of the other events, with around 100 people in attendance.
Chad Jackson hosted the event, featuring Dr. Verna Cornelia Price as the keynote speaker and a performance by the band NUNNABOVE. Long-time KMOJ DJ and operations manager Walter “Q Bear” Banks, was honored with this year’s Living the Dream Award.
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