After 32 years of one traditional event honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - this year, there will be two MLK celebrations in Jacksonville Friday, instead of one.
That’s because of a growing rift between City Hall and local civil rights groups.
Both events are now billing themselves as the premiere MLK breakfast, leaving many torn between deciding which one to attend.
WJCT News spoke about it with WJCT contributor Charles Griggs, who is with the 100 Black Men of Jacksonville.
He said local chapters of the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference did not see eye to eye with the mayor’s office on details of the event, so they’re having their own.
“They simply would like this to be a civil rights organizations-led event, much like it was in the past. With input being equal to that of the city,” said Griggs.
Related: Cummer Museum Offers Free Admission & Commemorations On MLK Day
The City’s event is taking place at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. The event run by civil rights leaders is at the Lexington Hotel. Both are being held at the same time Friday morning.
Additional Information
32nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast at the Prime Osborn Center
32nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Break at the Lexington Hotel and Conference Center
You can listen to the full interview with Griggs on Thursday's First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross.
Melissa Ross can be reached at mross@wjct.org, 904-358-6382 or on Twitter at @MelissainJax.
