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Hundreds Gather at Old Courthouse to Honor MLK

Coretta Scott King at yesterday's King Holiday observance in Atlanta, Ga.
(Reuters Photo)
Coretta Scott King at yesterday's King Holiday observance in Atlanta, Ga.

By H. Wicai, KWMU

St. Louis, MO – Hundreds gathered at the Old Courthouse in St. Louis today to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay spoke about the theme for this year's celebration - The Struggle Continues Building a Safe Community.

King once said, "This is not time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism."

Slay encouraged the audience heed Dr. King's call for immediacy. "Let us continue to turn our young people away from violence through opportunities. Let us continue to join neighbors from all races to build stronger neighborhoods and stronger schools, Slay said.

The crowd marched from the Old Courthouse to Powell Symphony Hall for an interfaith service. Marchers filled more than a city block as they headed down Market.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 74 this year.

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