A handful of events in Missoula on Monday honored the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Empower Montana kicked off the festivities with a film screening and discussion at the Roxy Theater.
There was then a rally where youth leaders focused on the impact and intersection of race and environmental justice. The group then marched to St. Anthony Perish for a community celebration where Rabbi Laurie Franklin gave the keynote address.
Throughout the day's events, community members young and old were reminded of Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of freedom, equality, and justice. Youth Advisory Council member Brandon Pannell said these effects are long lasting, and he felt it necessary to commemorate MLK on this day.
“His message still matters, and we’re really not that far away from it," youth facilitator Samara Timm said. "We still have civil rights action going on, we still have people of color being oppressed. We still have to be able to do this work and his message still matters.”
