People across the United States, from schoolchildren to the President, marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday by participating as volunteers, demonstrators, protesters and organizers.
Some marched to commemorate the iconic civil rights movement leader who would have turned 86 this year, while others gathered to protest police brutality and the loss of lives in incidents that brought long-simmering racial tensions to the surface over the last few months.
Some individuals and groups devoted Monday to volunteer as part of a "Day of Service" in honor of King, while others took the opportunity to celebrate his achievements through cultural and educational events.
Here are snapshots of the myriad ways the U.S. marked MLK Day:
Across the country, people participated in protests against excessive use of police force they feel is targeted disproportionately towards minorities. Demonstraters used slogans such as "Black Lives Matter," which emerged after the August fatal shooting by a policeman of unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson Mo., and "I Can't Breathe," the words uttered by Eric Garner, who died after being placed in a chokehold by a policeman in Staten Island in July. In Cleveland, protesters gathered at the site where 12-year-old Tamir Rice was fatally shot by Ohio police in November.
People attend a Martin Luther King day rally in the Harlem section of New York January 19, 2015. Tributes to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. were held around the United States on Monday as protests over the treatment of minorities by law enforcement rolled on across the country. Observers of Martin Luther King Jr. Day have this year linked the federal holiday to a rallying cry in recent months during demonstrations over police brutality: "Black lives matter."Carlo Allegri/Reuters
hands up at the front of the march for @johnlegend and common. #dream4justice#blacklivesmatterhttps://t.co/x7jbmk9B5Y
— newyorkist (@Newyorkist) January 19, 2015
T-shirts with the image of Martin Luther King and with the words "I can't breathe" are pictured for sale during a Martin Luther King day rally in the Harlem section of New York January 19, 2015. Carlo Allegri/Reuters
Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton speaks during a Martin Luther King day rally at his National Action Network in the Harlem section of New York January 19, 2015.Carlo Allegri/Reuters
Updating photos from social media | The #4MileMarch in Boston is now at the State House http://t.co/loGjGoZWu8pic.twitter.com/R3O16KC06c
— Nick DeLuca (@NickDeLuca1) January 19, 2015
Really striking abt #ReclaimMLK in Oakland is the diversity of protesters, all rallying behind #BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/ZkrKmu1bgu
— Vivian Ho (@VivianHo) January 19, 2015
Buddhist prayer on the streets of #Seattle for Black lives. #ReclaimMLKhttps://t.co/gaJz3GmSTM
— Maxwell (@local_maxima) January 19, 2015
Protesters in Cleveland gather at spot where Tamir Rice was killed, prepare to march #reclaimMLKpic.twitter.com/zGyodmQ6KI
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) January 19, 2015
#ReclaimMLK#Fergusonhttp://t.co/1iwt3DUHKspic.twitter.com/SYbwqLR3wI
— ShordeeDooWhop (@Nettaaaaaaaa) January 19, 2015
Clergy singing "we shall overcome," leading Freedom Train march down 4th Street. #ReclaimMLK#BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/fQQH3OMwZZ
— Kale Williams (@sfkale) January 19, 2015
President Barack Obama called for Americans to volunteer in tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. in a video posted on YouTube Monday. "Today, we come together in a National Day of Service, because as Dr. King once said, 'Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?'" he said. Obama, along with the First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughter Malia, visited a Boys & Girls club to help paint murals and put together literacy kits. Elsewhere, people marked the day with other volunteer events, performances and services.
U.S. President Barack Obama works on a literacy project with children during a day of service at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, in celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday in Washington January 19, 2015.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
At Maple Point Middle School for #MLKDay2015. A basketball tourney for charity is just one way students are serving. pic.twitter.com/7wy5hjK9vj
— Stephen Jiwanmall (@SteveJiwanmall) January 19, 2015
250 beautiful faces from the @ymcanyc for #MLKDayofService#mlkdaynyc#YWeDotheWork with the final diversity mural! pic.twitter.com/vmos0SCB9U
— YMCA NYC Teens (@ymcanycteens) January 19, 2015
@SecretaryCastro works alongside returned @PeaceCorps vols at #MLKDayofService. Thanks @ThursdayNtwk for organizing! pic.twitter.com/E8lNDcemsf
— RPCV Washington (@rpcvw) January 19, 2015
Speakers reciting "I have a dream" speech as families make their way through the MLK memorial fountain. #ReclaimMLKpic.twitter.com/UbM5JBXRJK
— Kale Williams (@sfkale) January 19, 2015
Randall Toussaint and his son Ethan visit the crypt of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King prior to The King Center's 47th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service in Atlanta January 19, 2015.Christopher Aluka Berry/Reuters
For #MartinLutherKingDay, here's a @Space_Station photo of Atlanta, where #MLK, who inspired us to dream, was born. pic.twitter.com/uVaWiGBMU0
— NASA (@NASA) January 19, 2015
People sing "We Shall Overcome" at the conclusion of The King Center's 47th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service in Atlanta January 19, 2015.Christopher Aluka Berry/Reuters
Actor and activist David Oyelowo, who portrays Martin Luther King Jr. in the movie "Selma", takes a moment while addressing the audience during The King Center's 47th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Service in Atlanta January 19, 2015.Christopher Aluka Berry/Reuters