Workers from the Martin Luther King Junior Center in Rock Island held the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Service and Award Ceremony Monday, January 20th, 2014.
The event honors the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. This year's theme is called "Unarmed Truth and Unconditional Love." It is meant to end "all forms of violence, and increase love, peace, and respect," according to MLK Center Executive Director Dwight Ford. The event started off with a tribute to former South African President Nelson Mandela who died in 2013. Monday's keynote address was given by Ameena Mathews from the Chicago Project for Violence.
"We are honored to host this annual day of reflection and re-dedication to the ideals and principles of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King," Ford said.
During the ceremony, several elementary and junior high students read essays about the leadership role that Dr. King had during the 1960's. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos also spoke at the event.
The MLK Center has held the annual event for 31 years. For more information on the rest of our Martin Luther King events, click here.