Against the Backdrop of Today’s “Perilous Times,” Martin Luther King Legacy is Celebrated

At an unsettling time of national political turmoil and local gang violence, more than a dozen clergy, along with local, state, and national elected leaders and over one hundred local residents gathered at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena on Sunday for the 34th national celebration of the Martin Luther King holiday.

Reflecting, Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek said, “In these times, this celebration is more important than ever.”

The event was hosted by the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Pasadena. Among the attendees were State Senator Anthony Portantino, US Congresswoman Judy Chu, Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek, State Assemblymember Chris Holden, and Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez.

The incoming new Presidential administration seemed to weigh heavily in the sanctuary. Nearly every speaker referred to the issue. State Assemblymember Chris Holden described the current era as “Post-11/8,” meaning the United States after the November elections.

Congresswoman Judy Chu took the occasion to announce that she will not be attending the upcoming inauguration ceremonies because of remarks aimed at legendary civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis by the President-elect.

Chu said she is one of two California congressional representatives, both minorities, who have refused to attend the upcoming ceremonies.

Following an opening prayer by Reverend James Stevenson, pastor of Scott United Methodist Church, Host Pastor Reverend Tyrone Skinner welcomed the congregation and said, “These are perilous times,” but admonished the congregation to “Take your eyes off Trump and keep your eyes on the Triumphant One.”

Reverend Larry Campbell highlighted the history of Dr. King, calling him “the greatest American Civil Rights leader in history,” and quoted from his works, as he detailed Dr. King’s many years of service to the Civil Rights movement.

Quoting Dr. King’s wife, Coretta, Rev. Campbell noted that “every generation has to to fight for its own rights,” and while acknowledging the many strides in civil rights America has achieved since the ‘60s, said, “We are not there yet. There is still work to do.”

Congresswoman Chu called Dr. King’s work, “decades of courage,” and encouraged the attendees to “stand strong and stand tall,” in the face of any anti-Muslim and anti-minority actions the new administration may take.

“There are still conversations we need to have about civil rights,” said Holden, who said that he will continue to wage the battle for such rights.

Finally, Reverend Jean Burch, pastor of Community Bible Church, quoted from Dr. King’s 1968 sermon, “The Drum Major Instinct,” which he described as “a desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade, a desire to be first.”

As King said from the pulpit, “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

Another holiday celebration will be held Monday morning at the Charles W. Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, 2184 Lake Avenue, in Altadena, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with music, speakers, awards and dancing.