Tyson Cunningham, with Vibrant Church, leads the crowd in worship Monday during the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at Trotter Convention Center in Columbus. Along with worship and breakfast, those attending celebrations on Monday morning heard remarks from Mayor Stephen Jones, District 41 Rep. Kabir Karriem and other elected officials, along with Denise Jones Gregory, interim president for Jackson State University. Emma McRae/Dispatch Staff

Claude Long, left, vice president for the Columbus-Lowndes NAACP, and Rev. Jerome Wilson, right, carry the NAACP banner Monday morning during the city’s freedom walk on MLK Day. After walking from the Municipal Complex to Trotter Convention Center, participants gathered for a worship, a reading of King’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail” and breakfast. Emma McRae/Dispatch Staff

Lowndes County District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks, left, and Ward 4 Columbus Councilwoman Lavonne Harris welcome the crowd Monday to the city’s MLK Day festivities. Members of the Mayor’s Youth Council led the program. Emma McRae/Dispatch Staff

Claude Long, vice president for the Columbus-Lowndes NAACP, speaks to those attending the city’s MLK Day celebrations on Monday following a freedom walk. Long encouraged those attending to get involved with their local NAACP chapter. Emma McRae/Dispatch Staff

Lorraine Robinson, left, and Sherry Ellis smile Monday as they walk from the Municipal Complex during the city’s freedom walk in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. More than 100 people gathered at the Municipal Complex for the trek to Trotter Convention Center. Emma McRae/Dispatch Staff

Jerry Jefferson, vice president of the Oktibbeha County Branch of the NAACP, addresses dozens of people who gathered for the annual Unity March through downtown Starkville to honor King’s legacy. “Injustice comes in all shapes, fashion and forms,” Jefferson told the crowd. “It might not have to be a white thing or a black thing. We can’t be that narrow minded. Injustice is injustice, and it’s up to us to root it out.” Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

From left, Yolanda Young, Shelia Jefferson, Cathy Rodriguez, Sara Brooks, Andrea Agarib and Willie Thomas Sr., members of the Oktibbeha County Branch of the NAACP, carry a banner during Monday’s Unity March in downtown Starkville. Dozens of locals gathered for the march to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which culminated with a series of speeches at Unity Park. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

MSU student Gabrielle Oquinn, a member of the historically African American sorority Delta Sigma Theta, sings “I pray we’ll be ready” during the annual Unity March ceremony Monday afternoon in downtown Starkville. The ceremony, which followed a short march through the streets, included speeches by NAACP officials and featured city and county leaders. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Deborah Lindsay, left, and Julia Gillespie clap as they march down North Lafayette Street during Monday afternoon’s annual Unity March through downtown Starkville. Dozens of people marched through the streets while singing praise and freedom songs, before gathering at Unity Park for speeches by NAACP officials. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

From left, Mississippi State University students Kyla Kelly, Kelsey Danley, Amelia Gregoire and Kaitlyn Walker sing during Monday’s Unity March through downtown Starkville. Representatives of Delta Sigma Theta, a historically African American sorority, joined the march alongside local residents, members of the NAACP and city and county officials to encourage unity and honor King’s legacy. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Mason Ellis, 13, and Ivy Ellis, 11, hold signs that read “2026 Unity Walk” and “I matter” at the annual Unity March ceremony Monday afternoon at Unity Park. Mason and Ivy, both members of the NAACP youth council, were joined by their mother Tiffany Ellis to encourage unity and honor King’s legacy. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff