Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrated early in Avondale - 19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports

Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrated early in Avondale

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AVONDALE, OH (FOX19) -

The Zion Baptist Church on Glenwood Avenue in Avondale had an early celebration for the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday.

Cincinnati Police Chief James Craig was the speaker. He spoke about service to the community and courage.

"That's what Dr. Martin Luther King was about, service," said Craig. "Sometimes to serve it takes courage and that's what my words were about, courage."

Dr. Robin Forde of Temple Christian University was impressed by the chief's speech.

"I think Chief Craig's got it and that's progress," he said. "And when we look at Barack Obama, that's progress. But in the case of Dr. King's mission, there is still work to be done."

"Our theme is sharing one nation and Dr. Martin Luther King would have wanted us to do to keep his dream alive," says Doris Jackson, who organized the event. "And in this Interfaith Vesper we are inviting people of all faiths to join with us and the entire community to keep his dream alive."

Most government offices and banks will be closed all day Monday.

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