Valley marks Martin Luther King Day with marches, events

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- Jan. 21 is Martin Luther King Day, and from marches to picnics and performances, people across the Valley are remembering and celebrating the civil rights leader's legacy in different ways.

MLK Day is extra special to some in Arizona, due to the extra effort it took to make it an official state holiday.

"We had to vote to get this day here," said one woman. "We were the only state that didn't have a for a long time. It means a lot to a lot of African Americans, as well as other nationalities."

Arizona didn't recognize MLK Day until 1992, after the Super Bowl boycotted Arizona in protest. That, along with major artists Cost the state millions of dollars in possible investments.

"Equality, we're striving for something that we don't have completely yet," said another woman. "People forget. We've made a lot of progress but there's a lot further we have to go."

MLK Day is currently a federal holiday held on the third Monday of each January in all 50 states. On Twitter, #MLKDay is also trending number one in Phoenix and across the country. Many social media users have tweeted MLK quotes, such as "hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

There are other MLK celebrations going on in other parts of the Valley. In the Chandler area, there is an MLK Vigil scheduled.