MLK Day kicks off at Atlanta congregation with daughter’s warning

A massive 70-member choir belted out Hallelujah to open a Martin Luther King Jr Day service at his former congregation in Atlanta, followed by a stern message from his youngest daughter warning against anti-woke rhetoric.

The service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta was among the most prominent commemorations planned across the country.

“We are living in a time when anti-woke rhetoric has become a weapon to divide us and distract us from the real issues of injustice,” King’s daughter, the Rev Bernice King, said.

“To be woke is to be aware of oppression and commitment to justice.”

Participants at the annual service rose to their feet as she warned those who would strip away their civil rights “we will not go back”.

The MLK holiday was half of the nation’s double-duty on Monday: the inauguration of Donald Trump, who heads back to the White House, created mixed feelings on King’s day for civil rights leaders who have opposed Mr Trump’s rhetoric and stances on race and civil rights.

The keynote speaker at Ebenezer then made a reference to Mr Trump, saying he had heard “that somebody had won a mandate”.

“I don’t care who you are, if you win 60% of the vote, you never win a mandate to violate justice,” said Bishop William Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign.

“You never win a mandate to hurt people.”

He implored people to “tell the truth” about poverty, hunger and social injustice.

“The right time to tell the truth is always right now, and telling the truth is the most radical and prophetic moral action you can take in a season of lies,” Mr Barber said.

In his speech after taking the oath of office, Mr Trump noted the significance of the King holiday.

“In his honour, we will strive together to make his dream a reality,” Mr Trump said. “We will make his dream come true.”

Ebenezer is where King was baptised as a child and ordained at 19 years old.

He became the congregation’s co-pastor in 1960 alongside his father, Rev Martin Luther King Sr.

He remained in that role until his death, and his funeral was held at the church.

The church is now part of the Martin Luther King, Jr National Historical Park & Preservation District.

Monday marks the third time in the nearly 40 years since the federal King holiday became law that it coincides with a presidential inauguration.

Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama also were sworn in for their second terms on the holiday.

There was a heavy security presence outside the Atlanta church, where more than two dozen police officers from across metro Atlanta stood guard with all-terrain vehicles, police motorcycles and suburban utility vehicles.

Streets in the immediate vicinity of the historic church were blocked to vehicle traffic.