SPRINGFIELD — In the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., speakers called for action — not symbolic gestures — to bring economic justice, good schools and political fairness to everyone.

The City of Springfield will hold its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Flag Raising on Monday. The celebration will take place at noon inside of Springfield City Hall. Officer installations for the 2025 Greater Springfield NAAPC will also be recognized at the event. The flag raising is free and open to the public.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s sermon to judge people by the content of their character not by the color of the skin still thunders like a hammer on an anvil today, writes Armstrong Williams.