Leaders, activists gather around Milwaukee's MLK statue to remember Dr. King

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Various leaders gathered by the iconic bronze statue in downtown Milwaukee Monday afternoon to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and voice concerns his followers believe would have contradicted his vision.

Civil rights, human rights, peace and justice organizations, and activists from across Milwaukee met to speak about Dr. King's strong stand against war and military spending.

Last December, the U.S. Senate passed legislation authorizing a record $858 billion in annual defense spending---$45 billion more than was originally proposed by President Joe Biden. Dr. King's followers believe he would have strongly opposed those efforts and instead, pushed to fund other human needs.

Andre Lee Ellis was among the speakers and performers who attended the event, reading the words of Dr. King; likewise, Pansy Williams sang traditional civil rights songs, and peace activist Jim Carpenter reflected on Dr. King's vision to end all war.

Others included Milwaukee Repertory Theatre actor DiMonte Henning, noted folk musician David H. B. Drake and open mic reflections by members of the community.

The annual event was organized by the Milwaukee Dr. Martin Luther King Justice Coalition which includes Casa Maria Catholic Worker, Veterans for Peace, Greater Milwaukee Green Party, Injured Workers Center, Peace Action Wis., Voces de la Frontera, Summer of Peace, Welfare Warriors, Milwaukee Branch Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Progressive Democrats of America in Milw. County, WAVE (Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort), Marquette University Center for Peacemaking, the Milwaukee Justice Coalition, Wisconsin Conference of Branches NAACP, 350 Milwaukee, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, SEIU, Fight For 15, Catholics for Peace and Justice, St. Francis Church, Riverwest Neighborhood Association, Mothers for Justice, Rid Racism Milwaukee, Milwaukee Turners, True Skool, Central United Methodist Church, Urban Underground, We Got This, We Care Wisconsin, and others.