MLK Day service honors King's lasting legacy, calls for nonviolence when protesting

ATLANTA - Monday was a federal holiday where we remember the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Taking place in Atlanta will be the annual MLK, Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service, the culmination of a series of community outreach events honoring the civil rights leader.

FOX 5 Atlanta was proud to partner with The King Center once again to broadcast and livestream this event.

Remembering MLK in Atlanta

What we know:

The event began at 10 a.m. EST on Monday. It took place at Atlanta's Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, a historic church which grew under the leadership of King's grandfather, and where his father was a pastor and he served as co-pastor.

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Dignitaries and well-known leaders gathered at the church to honor King and hear from speakers of all ages and races. Rev. A. R. Bernard, Sr., founder and chairperson of the Christian Cultural Center Global, was the keynote speaker. But throughout the entire event, one theme was constant: a call for peace and nonviolence when speaking out against what people disagree with.

MLK Day Service speakers

Dig deeper:

Below is a list of speakers and what they said:

• Rev. Reginald Shape Jr. and Rev. Natosha Reid Rice gave the opening remarks and welcome. In it, they issued a "call for community," reminding people of King's call for nonviolence.
• Rev. Sean B. Smith, of New Horizon Baptist Church, led the invocation. Smith's prayer focused on injustice and respect for all. He specifically mentioned immigrants and the unhoused population.

• Cantor Nancy Kassel, of Temple Beth Tikvah, read from the Old Testament. Her scripture was Leviticus chapter 19, verse 18, which focuses on loving your neighbor as yourself.
• Jennifer Arnold, Assistant Director of Admissions at Emory University, read from the New Testament. She read from 2 Corinthians 1, verses one through eleven. The verse focuses on kindness.
• Imam Shane Atkinson, Associate Chaplain for Muslim Life at Elon University, read from the Quaran. He read the final prayer from Muhammad.

• King's youngest daughter, Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, gave the call to commemoration. She said that the U.S. is living in a "moral crisis." She said the crisis puts humanity at stake. She mentioned the "erosion of democracy" and the "loss of humanity." She issued a call for humanity and said that it "cannot wait." King said that the answer is nonviolence. She looked back at her father's legacy and said that the Civil Rights Act was meant to heal a nation. She said that "justice strengthens us all." She ended her speech by saying there are tough days ahead for the country.

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• Leaders from across Georgia addressed King's legacy.

• S.E. Cupp from CNN, John C. Maxwell of The John Maxwell Company, and cultural strategist Carmen Perez-Jordan offered tributes to King and his lasting legacy.

• Siara White, a 7th grade student from Coretta Scott King Young Women's Leadership Academy, offered a tribute to Coretta Scott King where she discussed her outspoken leadership. White used the speech as a call to action for others to help "make a difference" in the world and stay nonviolent.

• Rev. A. R. Bernard will give the keynote speech. His address focused on the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing community service, social justice, and the role of faith in driving positive change. Attendees heard a message of inspiration, hope, and empowerment for all generations.

• Eugune Cho, President and CEO of Bread for the World, read the benediction. Cho, a nationally recognized faith leader and advocate, closed the service with a call to action rooted in justice, compassion, and collective responsibility.