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It hasn't happened often, but this year, celebrations to honor the birthday of civil rights icon Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. coincided with the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Just twice before have the calendars so aligned to bring MLK Day, held the third Monday in January, with Inauguration Day, held Jan. 20: in 1997 and 2013 for the second inaugurations for Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
We asked local leaders attending the MLK celebrations in Ocoee and Winter Garden to comment on honoring King as well as the juxtaposition of celebrating a civil rights icon who advocated for equality and change through nonviolent means on the same day as the presidential inauguration of the man who instigated the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot, in which five people died, because he lost the election in 2020.
Here's what they told us.
"It's such a delight to always celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King. I was reading some of his speeches and thought while he gave his speeches years and years and decades ago, they still resonate today when we talk about injustice, when we talk about nonviolence, when we talk about kindness. So I'm really grateful for his life and how impactful he is, and even today how we can resonate on what he did, how transformative he was for the United States of America. Just grateful for drum major for justice.
"I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I thought today would be different. I really thought that America was ready for change and ready for a Black woman to lead this country to greatness. So a little piece of me is hurt. But at the same time, I know that I was on the right side of history. That's why I'm wearing this shirt because Black women do lead."
I would like to focus on what Martin Luther King wanted us to focus on, and that is the unity in our country that we can look past all of the bad things that are happening and find good in them. And that's what I'm, I'm hoping today is, to find good.
”Martin Luther King said that the world begins to end when we remain silent about the things that matter. I'm not going to be silent, and that's what I'm known for. And I think that's why I became a target because I would not be silent. But we have to now, more than ever, start doing the works of Martin Luther King; not just talking about it. The parade is lovely, that we do this in remembrance. But we actually have to get out there and do the things that he told us to do."
“ [MLK Day] brings us to a point where we understand that we're able to take one day and set aside any differences, no matter what they are, whether they're political differences or they're just any kind of differences. It’s about unifying and thinking about our neighbors, thinking about how we most love our neighbors, thinking about how we come together as a community.”
"It's ironic, kind of shows the polarities of America right now. I read what Martin Luther King said: Never let anyone get you to the point where you hate one another.
"In all things, I try to find the good, and I think Dr. King's message rings louder than any inauguration, any presidency, any term. I think it's a change in America, I think a change in our culture. So, in that way, it's something poetic, somewhat bittersweet. But I'm still hopeful. I'm still very optimistic, and I'm praying for [Trump]. He's our president. I'm going to pray for him, and I'm going to pray for our nation."
"It's another great day, a celebration of Martin Luther King's birthday and his life. I think it's a great thing. This is our 18th parade. Everything's good. We appreciate everybody coming out. Everybody has a good time."
“It’s educational, and it’s a way to celebrate our past ... and to celebrate what we have going forward.”
“ I think it's a great time to be out today and celebrate our unity — just what Dr. King would want, love and peace, not hatred. I think this kind of helps bring the country together in certain ways."
"It is truly an honor to be able to live in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, to live a legacy and to celebrate his birthday today. And in this fashion, he also supported a day of service. So that's what we're doing, we're serving him and serving others, not being selfish. So we hope everybody gets out and enjoy it."
”It's a good day where you come together, have a day of fun. We will overcome one day and that's what we did. So, it's a day of love, peace, community right here in Winter Garden.”
“ I think we need to follow Martin Luther King's example of peace. That's the only way to do it. Lead by example. You gotta have a positive example. Martin Luther King believed in peaceful protest. He didn't believe in violence. And he was persecuted. But he always stayed peaceful."
"It's a great day, and, despite the cold weather, it's great to be here celebrating everything that Dr. King envisioned. I can't think of a better way to do it than to continue to honor him and his legacy."
"It's important that we celebrate the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. for our children and grandchildren to understand. It's a fight to maintain and keep our freedoms."
And the duality of celebrating both King and Trump on the same day?
"I think it's a supremely ironic day, and I'll leave it at that."
