MT. ZION, Ill. (WAND) — Community members in Mt. Zion gathered at the MLK gala Sunday, not just to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but to reflect on his mission of service, unity and justice.
"It brings everyone together, a very diverse group. It brings people out to celebrate together. And that is what community is," said President of the Metro Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce Melverta Wilkins said.
43 years ago, MLK day became a federal holiday. The holiday is observed on the third Monday of January each year to honor Dr. King's contributions to civil rights.
The theme of this year's gala — injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere — which is one of Dr. King's quotes.
"Young people, many times, don't understand his legacy and don't understand what he did and how he affected the things that we have now, the freedoms we have, the way people treat us, segregation, all of those things," said Wilkins.
Organizers said the gala wasn't about race, but about embracing unity and emphasizing equality. Everyone from community leaders and pastors to civil council members attended the gala.
"Especially right now with the division that's going on in our community in Decatur, in Macon County, everything that's going on, and we see so much violence that's happening, it's important that we come together to show unity that we have, and to embrace again the vision that Dr. King had," Denita Hentz, Vice President of MDBCC said.
Organizers said although Dr. King will not be physically present, his dream of equality is manifesting today. Although there is still room to grow, they said we have come a long way.
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