The city of Southfield and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force will host the Driving for Justice Peace Parade followed by a Virtual Commemorative Program on Monday, January 18 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Highway. The 2021 theme will be Justice Now: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade and virtual program will be held in lieu of the peace walk.

All pre-registered cars must arrive at Hope United Methodist Church by 8:45 a.m. to participate in the Driving for Justice Peace Parade. Vehicles should enter from the Civic Center/MLK Drive entrance where they will be directed to line up for the parade. The parade will depart from Hope United with a route through Southfield that ends at the Southfield Municipal Campus, 26000 Evergreen Road.  All participants must wear face masks and stay inside their vehicles at all times.

The Virtual Commemorative Program will follow at 1 p.m. cablecast by Southfield City Cable 15 (Comcast channel 15, AT&T channel 99 and Cable 15’s YouTube and Facebook Live) in addition to being aired live through the City's website at https://bit.ly/Cable15. The program will include the presentation of the 2021 MLK Community Service Award and the MLK Youth Service Awards.

Pre-registration is required by January 8, 2021 (or until all slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis) and is limited to the first 250 vehicles. The Task Force is also selling MLK magnetic vehicle signs in advance for $22.50 per sign. A fillable registration form with instructions for online completion and sign purchase is available on the MLK Task Force website at www.mlktaskforcemi.org.

The MLK Task Force will also be hosting a MLK Day of Service food giveaway following the Parade to provide free food for the community due to the continued strain on financial resources for many families. The food distribution will take place on January 18 at noon in the Parks and Recreation circular drive located in the Southfield Municipal Campus at 26000 Evergreen Road. The food giveaway is sponsored in partnership with Gleaners, Beans & Cornbread and other organizations that provide food for those in need on a first-come, first-served basis as it is available.

Southfield was the first city in the state of Michigan to hold a Dr. King peace walk or march. The first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Walk took place on January 20, 1986, commemorating the first national observance of Dr. King’s birthday. The walk continues to grow in size and scope each year, with year-long educational and community outreach activities.

For more information, call the MLK Task Force hotline at (248) 924-9MLK or visit www.mlktaskforcemi.org.