Dundalk To Celebrate MLK Jr. Day As Other Cities Mobilize

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — This weekend and on Monday, events in Baltimore County will honor the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. In some U.S. cities, however, people plan to forgo the celebration of the federal holiday to take a stand in support of voting rights.

Last month, the family of the late civil rights activist called on President Joe Biden and members of the U.S. Senate to either restore and expand voting rights in honor of King's legacy or skip the celebration of his namesake holiday.

Fueling the King family’s call are at least 400 voter suppression bills introduced during the first five months of 2021, 33 of which were put into law across 19 states, according to a report by Insider citing data from the Voting Rights Lab.

In response, the Kings are demanding meaningful action on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. They also asked Biden to "ensure the Jim Crow filibuster doesn't stand in the way."

RELATED: No MLK Jr. Day Without Action On Voting Rights, King Family Says

The Freedom to Vote Act would create a national standard for voting access, overruling many restrictions passed or proposed in states. Meanwhile, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore and strengthen parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 after certain portions of the bill were struck down by two U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

While passed by thin margins in the U.S. House of Representatives, both bills remain stuck in the Senate, blocked primarily by Republican opposition.

To encourage the Senate to pass both bills, demonstrations are planned Saturday in Phoenix, Arizona, and Monday in Washington, D.C. More than 100 grassroots organizations have joined the Kings’ call to action.

"Voting is an essential part of our democracy's infrastructure," Arndrea Waters King said in a statement. Waters King is the wife of Martin Luther King III, the son of the slain civil rights icon.

“We cannot afford for it to crumble any further," she added.

Just days ahead of MLK Jr. Day, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited Atlanta Tuesday to talk about the voting rights bills — bills Biden called a "turning point."

In an excerpt of his speech released by the White House, Biden said, "The next few days, when these bills come to a vote, will mark a turning point in this nation. Will we choose democracy over autocracy, light over shadow, justice over injustice? I know where I stand. I will not yield. I will not flinch. I will defend your right to vote and our democracy against all enemies foreign and domestic. And so the question is where will the institution of (the) United States Senate stand?"

RELATED: Biden To Senate On Voting Rights Bills: 'Pass It Now'

It’s unclear whether the Senate will vote on either bill ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Here are some events being held across Baltimore County:

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk will be held in D.C. Monday with more than 100 national and grassroots partners joining Martin Luther King III and his family to mobilize for voting rights legislation. Those who plan to join the walk are asked to gather at 9 a.m. on Potomac Ave. between First St. SE and South Capitol St. SE then at 10 a.m. begin marching toward the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.

Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with theater, lively conversation and reflection. Join JVC and more than 20 other organizations and congregations from across Baltimore to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday at 1 p.m. online. This dynamic, interactive event will feature dramatic readings of “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” from Baltimore School for the Arts students, followed by a conversation with Pulitzer-prize winning author and King scholar Taylor Branch, grantmaker and pastor Tara Huffman, and community organizer Tre’ Murphy.

Civic Works Inc. has moved this year’s MLK Day of Service online. Anyone interested in serving this year for the virtual MLK Day of Service can click the link below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePPgyaUqAasl9Xg3tE4R2xCjqNTAiMW_4Y9oMjVH3thEznQQ/viewform

Be inspired by incredible Doers and Dreamers throughout history during MLK weekend at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore.

In celebration of the Museum’s designation as a National Network to Freedom Site, and in honor of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., honor him this weekend from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the B & O Railroad Museum in Baltimore.

2022 MLK Holiday DC: 41st Annual Parade on Jan. 17 at noon.

On Jan. 17, celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 18th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. virtual prayer celebration featuring a keynote address by Dr. Mary Frances Berry, author, activist, educator and historian, at 8 a.m. Registration required. St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s City. smcm.edu

Teaching artist Culture Queen hosts the “Happy Birthday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!,” a family-friendly party Jan. 15 from 2 to 3 p.m. celebrating his life and legacy with a fun and interactive civil rights-themed show and hands-on crafts.