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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom March:Assemble at 1:30 p.m. at Romeo B. Garrett Cultural Center, Bradley University; Depart 2:00 pm. Marchers will travel from Bradley University to Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Participants are asked to gather to create signs in themes related to the Martin Luther King holiday and/or social justice. A motorcade will precede the marchers for those who prefer to drive or are mobility-impaired. An MLK Commemorative Service and Awards Ceremony will follow.
This year’s Drum Major award winners represent King’s legacy of activism and community service.
SPEAKER
Christine Haley, Chief Homelessness Officer for the State of Illinois, will be the keynote speaker at the 2025 Martin Luther King Freedom March and Commemorative Service. Christine Haley leads the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.
Appointed in 2021, Christine works with 16 state agencies to implement a strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, called Home Illinois. Christine chairs the Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and co-chairs the Community Advisory Council on Homelessness. Before joining the State, Christine was the Director of Housing for Cook County Health (CCH), one of the nation’s largest public safety-net health systems. Together with Housing Forward, she was the clinical administrator of a 19-bed medical respite center in Oak Park. Before joining CCH, Christine worked as an administrator in the housing sector with the CSH, Housing Opportunities for Women and Heartland Alliance.
HISTORY
The 2025 Martin Luther King Freedom March and Commemorative Service will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025. This 2025 King Holiday observance will mark the 39th Year of the national holiday. This year’s theme is “Where Do We Go From Here? Igniting the Activist In You”.
The annual march and service, which began before the federally recognized holiday, has always relied on donations and sponsors. In 2025, the Martin Luther King Holiday Committee of Peoria co-sponsors include Bradley University, Illinois Central College, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Bethel United Methodist Church.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Garrett Center, 824 N Duryea Pl,Peoria, Illinois, United States
