SEATTLE — Groups from Seattle to Snohomish County to Olympia continued to spread Dr. Martin Luther King's message of justice this holiday, despite the pandemic.
A group gathered at Garfield High School in Seattle on Monday for a rally on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The rally began at 11 a.m., and a march started at noon.
The 39th annual event was organized by the Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition.
While the rally and march are in-person events, the coalition organized other virtual events this year, including a virtual youth event on Sunday and a virtual series of workshops on racism, white supremacy and criminal justice.
Over the phone, Olympia-based education and systems consultant Erin Jones talked about the kid-centered event she held today on Zoom, one of five events she hosted today. Kids and parents from 107 different computers tuned in.
"The only way we're going to get better actually is if we face our truth and our truth is that we haven't actually done the work that MLK called us to, over 50 years ago," said Jones.
She says interest in this work has never been higher, after 2020's social justice movements lit a fire in more people than ever to learn and to act.
"I actually have hope that this will take us to a place where we can really do the work and not put it off any longer," Jones said.
In the north sound, the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee put together not one but two days of virtual events.
President DanVonique Bletson-Reed says the pandemic as well as the recent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol was behind them change their programs to an all-digital platform. She said overcoming the obstacles of the times are worth it to honor King's legacy.
"I think a lot of times when we do start making steps in the right direction, we should be grateful we should celebrate, but we can't get lacks, we can't get comfortable," she said.
Bletson-Reed believes it takes everyone doing work to end racism and make King's dream of true equality become reality.
"I want the principles and, and the teachings and things that he talked about to live through me. That's how I can help keep the dream alive, right? So find a way to keep the dream alive within yourself."