Want to celebrate MLK Day on the Mississippi Coast? Here’s a list of 2022 events.
The Coast’s biggest annual event in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. takes place this weekend.
The country observed King’s birthday, a federal holiday, in January, but the Coastwide MLK Celebration was postponed to Feb. 3-6 as COVID-19 cases surged.
Mississippi was a critical battleground during the civil rights movement in which King was the country’s best-known leader. In his famous “I Have A Dream” speech, King described Mississippi as “a state sweltering with the heat of injustice.”
Of 41 people the Southern Poverty Law Center describes as “Civil Rights Martyrs,” who lost their lives because of involvement in the Civil Rights Movement from 1954 to 1968, or whose deaths brought attention to the struggle, 18 died in Mississippi.
During Freedom Summer in 1964, civil rights organizers worked with local people to set up projects in Moss Point, Pascagoula, Biloxi and Gulfport.
Here’s how you can honor Dr. King’s legacy during the Coastwide MLK Celebration this year:
Thursday, Feb. 3
Defining Our Legacy Panel Discussion & Reception
The kickoff event for the 2022 Coastwide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. Free but registration required.
When: Feb. 3, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Biloxi Visitors Center, 1050 Beach Blvd., Biloxi
Friday, Feb. 4
Gospel Inspirational featuring local artist
When: Feb. 4, 6 p.m.
Where: Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/CoastwideMLK
Saturday, Feb. 5
Community Food Drop
A continuation of the Coastwide MLK Celebration.
When: Feb. 5, 11 a.m.
Where: Gautier Senior Center, 914 De La Pointe Drive, Gautier
Sunday, Feb. 6
MLK Parade
The annual parade honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. in Biloxi.
When: 11 a.m.
Where: East Biloxi
Battle of the Bands
Featuring Alcorn State University and Mississippi Valley State University. Admission is $5.
When: 12 p.m.
Where: MGM Stadium, 105 Caillavet Street
This story was originally published January 15, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
