Unity was the central theme for the Martin Luther King Jr. observance Sunday in Junction City.

Reverend Dr. Larry Jones spoke to a gathering of community members at the Second Missionary Baptist Church at the two-day Martin Luther King Jr. observance began in Junction City. “We have to know that if we’re going to win, if we’re going to succeed, if we’re going to move forward we have to do it in unity. Martin Luther would say his message wasn’t about a particular treaty, wasn’t about a particular race but his message was for everybody. His message was that he wanted everybody to be treated the same.”

Numerous choirs and groups participated in a gospel tribute and celebration as part of the event. Coordinator Daphne Maxwell reported that they included Royal Priesthood and Sanctuary Choir from New Church of the Living God, the Second Missionary Baptist Church men’s choir, Ward Chapel AME Church, Dr. Virginia Hines from Bethel AME from Manhattan, dance ministries from Morris Gospel Service at Fort Riley and New Church of the Living God in Junction City, and Michael T. Brown MLK Ensemble.

Maxwell estimated approximately 200 people attended the observance.

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Junction City on Monday is scheduled at the C.L. Hoover Opera House. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Marche Fleming-Randle, who is from Junction CIty and is now the Vice President For Diversity and Community Engagement at Wichita State University.