ATLANTA (AP) — The 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Day service commenced at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, featuring a powerful performance by a 70-member choir who opened with a jubilant rendition of “Hallelujah.” This cornerstone commemoration included a stirring address from King's youngest daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, who expressed concern over the rising anti-woke rhetoric, asserting that “to be woke is to be aware of oppression and commitment to justice.”

The service was marked by the presence of seven attendees who held aloft signs emblazoned with words like “JUSTICE,” “FREEDOM,” and “DEMOCRACY.” King fervently encouraged the congregation to resist any efforts to curtail civil rights, proclaiming, “We will not go back!”

Ebenezer Baptist Church, a significant site in King’s life as his childhood baptism place and later his co-pastorate alongside his father, the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., is a vital part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. On this day, the church also found itself overshadowed by a unique double-event: the inauguration of Donald Trump, echoing mixed sentiments among civil rights leaders.

As the nation observed the holiday, it marked the third occurrence since the establishment of the federal King holiday where it coincided with a presidential inauguration. Notably, former Presidents Clinton and Obama also took their oaths on this day.

Heavy security measures surrounded the event, with law enforcement presence ramping up, including over two dozen officers stationed outside the church. Amid the solemnity, King’s legacy was interwoven with reflections on ongoing struggles for justice.

In a broader acknowledgment of King's contributions, the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis offered free admission, hosting activities such as musical performances and blood donation drives. These events are a reminder of King’s enduring influence on current social justice movements.

However, in New Orleans, Mother Nature turned poignant commemorations into caution, as below-freezing temperatures prompted officials to cancel planned events in honor of King.

In her call for unity and perseverance, Rev. Bernice King stated, “We are living in a time when anti-woke rhetoric has become a weapon to divide us and distract us from the real issues of injustice,” as attendees echoed a commitment to continue fighting for equality and justice.

As the nation continues to grapple with issues of race and civil rights, events like these serve as vital reminders of King's legacy and the ongoing mission for equality that remains relevant today.