MLK Day commemorates the important legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., held this year on Monday, Jan. 15. Dr. King visited Detroit on June 23, 1963, for the Walk to Freedom, where 125,000 people followed the civil rights leader down Woodward Avenue to a rally at what was then known as Cobo Hall where he delivered an early rendition of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. In honor of Dr. King, here’s a collection of photos from that day, as well as other images from his trips to Detroit. This year’s 21st Annual MLK Day Rally and March will explore how current and past struggles for liberation intersect, featuring U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib and UAW President Shawn Fain as guest speakers.

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Civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. stands at the podium at Cobo Hall in Detroit. Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. walks in front of a crowd of people participating in his Freedom March in Detroit. Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

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Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...