LA Labor Passes the Torch to the Next Generation during MLK Weekend 2024
This year’s annual MLK Day 2024 boasted over 1300 attendees for what was an iconic event that will go down in MLK Day history as one of the largest MLK breakfasts LA Labor has hosted! As the LA Labor movement honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King on what would’ve been his 95th birthday, we took a minute to recognize our “Twenty-Something Leaders” that will keep our movement going.
The celebrations kicked off on Thursday with a mile dedication to Civil Rights icon Reverend James Lawson. The Rev. James Lawson mile passes in front of the Holman United Methodist Church, where Lawson served for over 25 years.
Then the celebration continued on Saturday during our annual MLK Breakfast where we empowered our “Twenty-Something Leaders”, highlighting the importance Dr. King’s legacy by uplifting our youth in the fight for worker’s rights.
We were honored to have Tennessee Representative Justin J. Pearson as the keynote speaker. Rep. Justin J Pearson gave a powerful speech about the need for “angelic dissenters” in the continued fight for democracy. He then brought the message home that “we, the people” of this country decide it’s fate; in a play on words that was an encouraging reminder that this movement has to continue it’s growth with the next generation of activists and labor leaders. In honor of the “Twenty-Something Leaders” theme, the ‘Torch of Freedom’ award was presented to Rep. Justin J. Pearson from Rev. Lawson as a “passing of the torch” to the next generation.
Finally, the MLK Day celebrations concluded with the 39th annual Kingdom Day Parade and Breakfast. U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler kicked off the morning with remarks before union members marched in honor of Dr. King and his dedication to striking workers.
Feel free to view our photo gallery below from our MLK Day Breakfast:
