CHICAGO (WGN) – Former Vice President Kamala Harris was in Chicago on Friday morning for an event honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Harris made the Windy City stop to deliver the keynote address at the annual MLK Interfaith Breakfast, which honors community leaders for their contributions to Chicago while continuing Dr. King’s legacy of justice, unity and service.
The former vice president spoke for about 20 minutes, touching on several topics around this year’s theme, “Defending Our Democracy, Protecting Our Rights.” During her speech, she wondered how King would perceive the political landscape, and how he might seek to create meaningful change.
“I thought about what Dr. King would see if he looked at America now. And what would he think, and what would be say?” Harris said.
Chicago’s first black mayor, Harold Washington, organized the first MLK Interfaith Breakfast more than 40 years ago.
Over the most important meal of the day, some of the most important moments of the civil rights movement were remembered, along with those who helped lead the charge.
The event featured music and prayers and politicians from all levels of government.
There was talk about freedom, democracy and rights, touching on not only how far this country has come but where it could be going.
“Let us continue to be clear-eyed,” Harris said. “They may want us to be afraid, to be divided, to be silent. But we won’t give them that satisfaction. We will continue the fight with determination, with resilience, and dare I say, with joy.”
In the end, Harris struck a chord by telling Friday morning’s guests to “bear down.”