Protesters Seek NYPD Policy Change in Spirit of Dr. King

NEW YORK — The image and words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. could be seen and heard everywhere the Dream4Justice march went, from Harlem to Midtown, Monday afternoon. But as the marchers walked a slow and peaceful four miles over as many hours, King’s voice mixed with the protesters’ now familiar chants: “I have a dream” alongside “I can’t breathe” and “No justice, no peace.”

King’s memory brought organizers and protesters together but the marchers’ demands came from more recent deaths. In memory of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and others who had been killed by police, the march ended near the United Nations to bring attention to police brutality as a human rights issue. Marchers called for immediate policy change at the city and state levels in keeping with King’s philosophy. “We are non-violent but we are not peaceful,” said Tamika Mallory, an organizer and board member of The Gathering for Justice.

Voices from the King Center

On a day of celebration and remembrance, young visitors to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Atlanta told the JJIE what the man and his work from four decades ago mean to them and the world today. We asked: "Why do you think the work of Martin Luther King is important to us today?" These are their responses. Photographs by Jenni Girtman.  

Grant Teaches Martin Luther King’s Values to Kids, Communities

The Corporation for National and Community Service offers funding for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2012. The funds support organizations that bring communities together through volunteering and civic engagement. In order to qualify for the funding, grantees must choose a subgrant that focuses on one of the six CNCS Strategic areas, including education. The deadline for this is July 21, 2011. "Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?’" -– Martin Luther King, Jr.
CNCS is that nations largest grantmaker for service and volunteering.