People braved the freezing weather Monday to celebrate the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and discuss ways to carry on the legacy of the civil rights icon.
“If Dr. King was here today, he would say something like this: The struggle continues. Even though the flames are flickering, the light never dies,” said Quenston Coleman, who has helped organize MLK Week events in Chattanooga for more than three decades.
The annual MLK Week celebration in Chattanooga has followed a virtual format the past two years because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This year, experts led discussions on voting rights, criminal justice reform, impacts of the pandemic and research on why Black residents are leaving the Chattanooga area.
Instead of the typical parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, organizers held a gathering in Miller Park on Monday afternoon.
Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, said people must work with and believe in the next generation to improve the community. That must be a central focus, he said.