Overview
- In Atlanta and New York, speakers including Bernice King and Hakeem Jeffries condemned stepped-up immigration enforcement and efforts to scale back diversity initiatives linked to the Trump administration.
- Los Angeles’ official parade operated under new Bakewell Media leadership, rebranded with Cedric the Entertainer as grand marshal and followed by a Freedom Festival in Leimert Park.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom granted free entry to more than 200 California state parks for the holiday after the federal shift removing MLK Day from national park fee‑free dates.
- Bay Area marches in San Francisco and Oakland paired celebration with protest, featuring signs opposing ICE raids and programming centered on immigrant and Black community concerns.
- Communities amplified the day of service with events such as LA Works’ sold‑out volunteer festival, Big Sunday’s clothing drive, and San Diego’s parade featuring about 80 groups plus a 5K with nearly 1,000 runners.