Celebration commemorates MLK Jr.

Published 10:43 am Thursday, January 22, 2015

Over 300 people gathered to reflect on the life, work and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 21st annual Kitsap County MLK Jr. Day Celebration at the county fairgrounds.

The event was held Jan. 19 and hosted by the Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bremerton.

Olympic College student Drayton Jackson told those assembled that King used education and wisdom to out-think his opponents.

King played chess while others were playing checkers, he said.

“Imagine what it was like to be non-violent when violence is all around you,” Drayton said. “Every time he was attacked and didn’t react, he won.”

King’s intelligence meant he belonged in the same rank as other great thinkers such as Nikola Tesla and Albert Einstein, he said.

“Education is the great key for advancing the community,” Drayton said, noting that the state of Washington needed to do more to fund education.

Students with Bud Hawk Elementary sang “We are the World” and members of the Suquamish Tribe performed a warrior song in King’s honor.