WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
Those famous words from Martin Luther King, Jr. are part of his legacy we celebrate every year in January.
Here's how Central Georgia honored the Civil Rights leader on Saturday.
WARNER ROBINS
In Warner Robins, the NAACP held its annual Unity Breakfast at First Baptist Church.
Hundreds of people attended the event. The breakfast featured praise dancers, and a student recited King's 'I Have a Dream' speech.
The guest speaker was the honorable Robert Benham.
He's the second black graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law, and the first black person to serve as a justice in Georgia's Supreme Court.
He spoke about the importance of King for all Americans.
"It is critically important they understand the role that Dr. King had in improving the quality of life for all citizens. The time should never come when we don't pay respect to Dr. King for making the sacrifice. I even shutter to think about where we would be in this country if Dr. King did not make his sacrifice," Justice Benham said.
This was the 24th annual Unity Breakfast sponsored by the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity incorporated.
DUBLIN
Dublin held their 26th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. parade.
King actually has some history in Dublin. He made his first speech as a child at First African Baptist Church before he became the influential Civil Rights leader we know today.
His dream was alive as people in Laurens County came out to celebrate him.
More than 100 different organizations marched through the city.
Co-chairman of the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade committee Laura Irwin says keeping his dream alive is the most important part of the parade.
"We are hoping that the coming together will keep his dream alive of mankind getting along with each other," she said.
The parade started at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and ended on West Jackson Street in the downtown area.
TWIGGS COUNTY
Another parade honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. took place in Twiggs County.
The county holds an annual parade to mark King's accomplishments.
People lined the streets to watch local law enforcement, school teams, and other organizations pass by. Our own Junior Journalist Kamryn Stephens was there.
Jhamier Hollings lives in the county and came out to watch the parade Saturday. He says this event is a positive reminder of the purpose of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be right here, right now. My mom wouldn't be other there working at Academy likes she does. I'm just glad to be here actually, it's really nice," he said.
The parade route ended at the Twiggs County courthouse.
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