Local organizations honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga honored the Late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with various events on Monday. 

“This is the 55th annual MLK Day Parade in March that we’ll be having. So we have been doing this for a number of decades,” said Eric Atkins, Unity group of Chattanooga. 

 As a part of the MLK Day Parade, The Unity group of Chattanooga celebrated Dr. King with D-9 Fraternities and Sororities. 

 Along with a band tribute from Howard High School. 

 Atkins believes it is important to remember Doctor King’s Life AND legacy. 

 “When we think of voting rights, when we think of workers rights, when we think of equality, all across the board, especially dealing with abject poverty. Dr King’s message still resonates with us today,” said Atkins. 

 Southern Adventist University Students also took time on Monday to honor Dr. King by giving back on their Annual MLK Service day. 

 “For MLK day every year, Southern turns off their classes, and we close down the university, and we go out into the community, and we volunteer. So Sleep in heavenly peace is an organization where we build beds for children ages three to 17,” said Renita Moore, with Southern Adventist University. 

 According to Southern Adventist University, more than 100 students built beds for children. 

 And more than 1,000 folks participated at local organizations across the Chattanooga area. 

 Moore believes it vital to giving back to the community just as Martin Luther King did. 

 “We believe that we are supposed to be the hands and feet of Jesus and give back to the community. So we want those students to get involved. So having a couple times a year where we have big events for service just helps introduce the students to various organizations within the community,” Moore concluded.