News

Alexandria to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. in virtual ceremony

By James Cullum

(Updated 11:50 p.m.) Alexandria will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a virtual program on Friday, Jan. 14. It’s the 49th annual celebration commemorating the civil rights leader, and speakers will include U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, Mayor Justin Wilson and retired City Councilwoman Del Pepper.

Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day — a national holiday all across the country — and Alexandria has recognized the fallen civil rights leader every year since 1973.

This year’s theme is “It Starts With Me: Shifting Priorities to Create the Beloved Community,” and the program also includes a performance by the Alexandria City High School Orchestra, and a presentations by activist Rosa Byrd and outgoing City Manager Mark Jinks.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. virtual event and can be seen on the City’s website, social media and cable channels 70/1084.

Photo via National Park Service/Flickr

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.