Monday is a federal holiday marking the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King's birthday is January 15, but is marked on the third Monday of January.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a federal holiday which began in 1986. Locally, the Northwoods Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship in Woodruff is hosting activities to celebrate King's birth.
Spokesperson Amanda Keck says the Fellowship's social justice committee is sponsoring the events...
"..They will be holding a candlelight vigil at Veterans Park in Minocqua which is in front of the post office parking lot at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 19. Following that, at 5:30 p.m.,there will be a free showing of the movie 'Selma' at the Lakeland Cinema in Woodruff...."
Keck says the public needs to remember the civil rights work of Dr. King and how his words apply today...
"...One of the things he said is, 'I have decided to stick with love because hate is too great a burden to bear'. In today's society, where we have such divisive political things...it's definitely important to remember love, kindness and friendship instead of hatred that a lot of people feel right now..."
Keck says the movie "Selma", being shown Sunday in Woodruff, won awards after it's release late in 2014. It follows the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965 and the events leading up to the passing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.
More information is on the Northwoods Unitarian-Universalist website.
