President Donald Trump has departed from the tradition of his predecessors by not recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day through any official statements or activities. This marks a significant change from his first term and other presidents. Furthermore, the National Park Service has removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day from its list of fee-free days, replacing it with Trump’s birthday. This shift aligns with the administration’s broader efforts to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
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On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, hundreds of people marched in Center City Philadelphia to protest ICE raids across the country, starting at the Philadelphia Immigration Court and ending at the ICE Philadelphia Field Office. The rally was organized by State Senator Art Haywood and various interfaith groups and community leaders. These protests followed nationwide demonstrations sparked by the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner vowed to hold ICE accountable for any legal violations, stating his office would prosecute any federal agent operating unlawfully, emphasizing that they could be arrested, tried, and imprisoned.
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Following President Trump’s ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has suspended observances of eleven annual events, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Pride Month, and Black History Month. This action, initiated by the DIA and not yet department-wide policy, stems from ongoing ambiguity surrounding the executive order. The pause affects agency-sponsored events but not national holidays, according to a DIA memo. Defense Secretary Hegseth has since established a task force to eliminate all remaining DEI programs within the Pentagon, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to this policy. The White House, however, maintains its intention to celebrate American history and the contributions of all citizens.
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In Alabama and Mississippi, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is jointly observed with Robert E. Lee Day, a legacy from early 20th-century state legislation honoring Confederate leaders. This juxtaposition of figures with opposing legacies persists despite repeated legislative efforts by Black lawmakers in both states to separate the holidays. Recent attempts to either remove Lee’s recognition or reschedule his observance have failed to gain sufficient support. While other Southern states have removed or altered similar Confederate holidays, Alabama and Mississippi remain the only two states that continue this practice.
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John Q. Hosedrinker