Lacey City Council issues proclamation honoring MLK Jr. for his work

The Lacey City Council issued an official proclamation recognizing Jan. 20,  as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the city.

The proclamation honors Dr. King's pivotal role in the civil rights movement and his legacy of justice and equality.  The city council issued the proclamation on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

The council emphasized the significance of reflecting on the progress made and the ongoing challenges faced in the fight against racism and discrimination. 

The proclamation highlighted key points of Dr. King's beliefs, recalling his devotion to "the nonviolent advancement of civil rights" and his call for "a nation of freedom and justice for all."  

It noted that his "dream is no less inspirational and important today than when he expressed it 60 years ago."  

The proclamation further acknowledged that despite progress, "inequities, injustices, racism, and other forms of discrimination and oppression are still prevalent in our society today."  

Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder urged the community to "reflect upon Dr. King's vision and join me in rededicating ourselves to continuing to advance the principles of justice and equity for all." 

The proclamation included remarks from Pastor David Reaves, who reflected on Dr. King's life and the continued relevance of his work.  

Pastor Reaves expressed that while Dr. King died that day, "the dream continued to live on."  

Historian and civil rights advocate Dr. Thelma Jackson also spoke about the need to refocus the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on the issues Dr. King championed, particularly the fight against racism and discrimination.  

“What has happened over the years since Martin Luther King's holiday was declared is that we have removed ourselves from looking at those things that he really stood for,” Jackson noted.  

Jackson criticized the growing trend of reducing the holiday to a "day of service," explaining, "this is not about a day of service ... Martin Luther King holiday has been hijacked into a day of service because it's easier to talk about cleaning a stream, hugging a tree than it is to talk about racism, discrimination, inequity and the things that exist in our community, in our world and in our lives." 

She urged the city to continue to honor Dr. King’s true legacy by reaffirming the City of Lacey and its commitment to the things that he stood for."  

Jackson emphasized that the city should continue to have these “courageous conversations" and not just relate Martin Luther King's holiday to a day of service and a day off.