This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a bit overshadowed by the inauguration of President Donald Trump. But Salt Lake City still celebrated the civil rights activist and leader—with rallies, marches and a panel of Utah religious leaders hosted by the J. Willard Marriott Library.
While MLK Day was approved as a federal holiday in 1983, Utah was the last state to recognize it, almost 20 years later. In 1985, Terry Lee Williams—Utah's first African American state senator—introduced a bill for lawmakers to approve changing Human Rights Day to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Others in the Senate refused to even allow a vote.
Coretta Scott King even visited Brigham Young University in 1986 to rally support for the holiday. But it wasn't until the year 2000 when the late Senator Pete Suazo—Utah's first Hispanic state senator—reintroduced the bill for a name change that it was finally approved, in March of that year.
But even before MLK Day was formalized in Utah, 600 South was named Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, in 1991. Reverend Dr. France Davis, pastor emeritus of Calvary Baptist Church (who was among the speakers for this year's MLK March and Rally), was a leading advocate for Utah to adopt the federal holiday and served on a commission that advocated for the renaming of 600 South. He marched with Dr. King during the civil rights movement and was present for the famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963.
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is home to the oldest African American institution in Utah—the Trinity American Methodist Episcopal Church—with roots dating back to 1890. Mignon Richmond Park, named for a local civil rights activist and the first black woman to graduate from a Utah college in 1921 (Utah State University) is also located on 600 South.
American cities began naming streets for Dr. King after his 1968 assassination to commemorate the civil rights movement and King's fight against social inequality. Most are in poorer and highly-segregated neighborhoods. This is not the case for Salt Lake City.
Sixth South is in a prominent location and runs from 200 West to 700 East. It is a primary connection to the freeway and to luxury hotels like the Grand America, as well as commercial hubs and private residences. It is highly visible for visitors and a common route for city dwellers.
As the country transitions to Trump's presidency, it is important to engage with Dr. King's message of equality, equity, and service. King's eldest son, Martin Luther King III reposted an article on X (formerly Twitter) about the overlapping dates of the inauguration and the day honoring his father, saying, "MLK Day is a reminder to move from reflection to action. My father's legacy was rooted in service and action. My mother envisioned a 'day on,' not off — an opportunity to serve and engage in building the Beloved Community."
