Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in Grand Junction canceled in protest of failed voting bills

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Martin Luther King Jr. Day is typically one involving a lot of celebration in the small town of Grand Junction. However, with Congress' recent failed attempt to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, a group in this Western Slope community has decided to take a stand in protest.

“It’s not a day off, it’s a day on — a day on to do something for somebody else,” said David Combs of Black Citizen and Friends, a Mesa County nonprofit.

For Combs, the holiday a day to stand with the King family, which expressed its frustration when Senate Republicans blocked the voting legislation from passing. The bill would have strengthened the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which had been weakened recent Supreme Court rulings.

“We are calling for no celebration without voting rights legislation,” said Martin Luther King III, the son of Martin Luther King Jr., in December of 2021.

Isaac Newton Farris Jr., who is Dr. King’s nephew, reiterated that message when he spoke to youth and adults in Colorado Springs this past week. 

"The right to vote is so important, " said Farris Jr. "First off, because it's not a Black issue. It's so important that people understand that. It's an American issue."

Black Citizen and Friends hosts the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in Grand Junction. Typically, it all starts with proclamations read publicly at city hall; then, events would continue after a symbolic march to Handy Chapel, where a keynote speech and benediction would occur.

Additional celebratory events such as a poetry slam, basketball tournament and movies were originally planned for Jan. 17 and the Sunday prior to further celebrate King's life and accomplishments. But with these voting rights bills failing and statements from the King family, the committee of Black Citizens and Friends has decided to cancel all of Monday's celebratory events.

“It was a hard decision, we usually start planning this in November,” said Elisa Love of Black Friends and Citizens. “We believe what Dr. King's family is doing is important. Until the voting rights acts have been passed, we will not celebrate.”

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R.4) would have restored and strengthened parts of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, as well as combatted voter suppression. In particular, it would have restored a requirement that certain states need congressional approval before making changes to their voting laws.

Another bill that failed to pass in the Senate was the Freedom to Vote Act (S.2747), which sought to standardize voting election laws across the country and expand voting access.

For Grand Junction, whose non-white community makes up an estimated 30 percent of its total population, the choice to not celebrate is a means to speak up about inequities that millions still face across the nation, and that more work must be done before a celebration can occur.

“Education is the key. It's easy to be complacent and to not know what’s going on if it's not directly affecting you,” Love expressed. “Voting is just too important.”

On Monday, the League of Women Voters will be at city hall and part of the march to Handy Chapel to encourage people to register to vote. Although Coloradans have experienced easier voting access than in other states, the committee has decided to stand with others around the nation who refuse to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“Our challenge is, what is celebratory and what is commemorative?” said Combs.

The canceled Martin Luther King Jr. day events hosted by Black Citizens and Friends include:

• 3-on-3 basketball tournament sponsored by the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission
• Movies in the Colorado Mesa University ballroom
• Poetry slam at Charlie Dwellington’s
• Community meal at Clifton Community Hall on Sunday, Jan 16
• Children's read at Fruita and central libraries

The decision was also complicated by the growing support that Black Citizens and Friends has seen over recent years. Despite the pandemic, the committee says last year's turnout at Martin Luther King Jr. Day events was larger than ever before.

“I think there were more people, even in the midst of COVID, wearing masks and social distancing, but coming out and supporting and being involved,” Love told. “That’s just been a great experience over the last few years. Hopefully, this year we’ll get the same turnout.”

The annual march will continue as planned with limited events starting at 1 p.m. at city hall. A full schedule of the day’s activities can be found here.

The theme of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration will be, “What have you done for others?” The Making a Difference Award and the Harry Butler Community Service Award will be presented during the program. 

As people march in remembrance of Dr. King on this historic day, Black Citizens and Friends ask that people stay aware of what is happening and find ways they can make a difference themselves.

“Some scary things can happen if we don’t pass these laws,” said Love. “Find something that works for you and do it, but don’t be afraid to get involved.”

Matt Thornton is a multimedia journalist at Rocky Mountain PBS. He is based in Grand Junction. You can contact him at matthewthornton@rmpbs.org.