Detroit MLK Day Celebration: Hundreds gather to honor civil rights leader

Hundreds gathered at St. Matthew's-St. Joseph's Episcopal Church in Detroit for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. 

The commitment to MLK's Dream was on full display at the 22nd Annual Detroit MLK Day Rally & March. 

Organizers say the fight for equality continues and must be everyone’s business as the community remembered the civil rights leader on Monday.

"We’re here today to reemphasize our struggle for freedom, for equality, for self-determination, it lives on," said Abayomi Azikiwe from the Detroit MLK Day Committee.

The March was paused because of the cold weather keeping all activities indoors. 

The theme of the 2025 celebration was ‘Six Decades of Mass Struggles Against Racism, Poverty and War.’

Organizers say for all who are part of the movement, and the goal is clear.

"The message is to freedom fighters, that this is a time to reevaluate who we are, what we are about, and what we need to do," said Cecily McClellan of We The People of Detroit.

Organizers say, despite some progress, there’s more to do to make Dr King’s Dream a reality. Several Michigan politicians on hand for the event, from US Representative Rashida Tlaib, to Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Meanwhile, event organizers want to make it clear that the fight for equality and justice for all requires a commitment from everyone.

Detroit