#ICYMI “As Donald Trump takes the oath of office and is sworn in for a second time as president of the United States, the nation is also observing the federal holiday that honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s contributions to the nation and the world. The civil rights leader transformed America’s consciousness and was an architect of a movement that dismantled U.S. laws sanctioning racial segregation and oppression. On MLK Day, civil rights leaders are reflecting on the day’s ironic juxtaposition to the inauguration of Donald Trump, whose leadership and moral character they say contradict that of Dr. King, who was assassinated in 1968. The Rev. Al Sharpton, who is leading an MLK Day rally at the historic Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C., told theGrio, “We’re going to take an oath to keep Dr. King’s dream alive, with what Donald Trump has represented in terms of his supporting states’ rights, on voting rights, him declaring war on DEI, his bigoted statements.”

The civil rights leader added, “It’s to bury Dr. King’s dream.” Sharpton said keeping King’s true dream alive, which included social and economic justice for Black Americans, and all Americans, must be fought for “no matter who’s in the White House.” He continued, “We’ve lost an election, but we’ve not lost our minds.”

Dr. King’s son, Martin Luther King III, said of Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States, “We’ve seen this movie before. The question, I think, is, what do we do to stay engaged?” King and his wife, Arndrea King, are urging the public to channel their anger and frustration through service in their communities. The Kings’ organization, Drum Major Institute, launched an initiative called “Realize the Dream,” which aims to encourage everyday citizens to engage in 100 million hours of service before Dr. King’s posthumous 100th birthday in 2029. “We knew that regardless of what way the election went, we needed to be doing something to lift up humanity and lift up society,” said King, who said 100 million hours.…”- full story@theGrio 

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