MLK's daughter urges Americans to "stay woke" ahead of Trump's return [View all]

Source: Axios

Updated 7 hours ago


The daughter of the late Martin Luther King Jr. warned Monday of "sinister forces" and "some disturbing things to come" just hours before President-elect Trump retook office.

Why it matters: The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change commemorated MLK Day on Monday as Trump is expected to sign a slew of executive orders ending diversity and inclusion initiatives in the federal government and laying the groundwork for mass deportations.

Bernice A. King, MLK's daughter, told an audience at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church that advocates "will remain woke" against rollbacks of civil rights gains as the new administration's agenda takes hold.

The big picture: The federal holiday commemorating King's birthday and the presidential inauguration fall on the same day — a paradox that civil rights leaders say underscores the nation's deep divide.

What they're saying: "It has become a major factor for so many people because of the notable contrast in the two men who are sharing the same space in today's news cycle and on today's Gregorian calendar," King said.

"For some, today's inauguration represents the best of times: Make America Great Again. And for others, it highlights the worst of times."

"But regardless of how this day shows up for you, we must remember the mission and be in pursuit of it."

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/01/20/mlk-day-trump-inauguration-william-barber