On Monday, Jan. 16, the 28th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Rally will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Student Union and online at 10:00 a.m.

“The rally is held every year to honor the lives and legacies of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., rally founder Dr. Leola Bullock and the countless others past and present who have championed, invested, and sacrificed for equity, opportunity, civil and social justice,” rally advisor Mr. Peter Ferguson said. “The rally has long sought to promote the lives and dreams that our ancestors had to be respected, valued and loved.”

At the rally, all speeches, readings, presentations and performances will be done by elementary, middle, and high school students. 

The Lincoln Northwest Choir will perform, a reading of one of Kings’ speeches will be done and  some students will share about progress made as well as progress that needs to be made in regards to equity, intersectionality and advocacy. 

“Speaking at the rally to me means giving people hope because I’ve been hearing over and over again that the younger generation has given up,” Lincoln High senior Ali Waly said. “In my piece I’ll be talking about reasons historical figures have wanted to fight and asking for people’s own reasons they might want to participate. I’m most looking forward to the hours of work coming together.” 

Anyone is welcome to attend at no cost.