26 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 15-21, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com CULTURE When we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., we admire his ability to steadily lead a peaceful and successful protest, even through an act of violence ultimately ended his life. The fact that in 1983, President Ronald Reagan— hardly a progressive man—designated the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday, gives hope that sometimes a couple of decades is enough to bring acceptance and even celebrate a movement that transformed racial relations and opportunity in the U.S. (although that work remains incomplete). Various communities in Monterey County celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which this year falls on Monday, Jan. 19. There is an MLK Jr. Day march and vigil in Salinas on Sunday, Jan. 18. An annual march and gathering take place in Seaside on Jan. 19, as well as an event in Marina against the backdrop of the MLK Jr. Sculpture Garden at LockePaddon Park. On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Sunset Center in Carmel screens MLK/ FBI. The 2020 film was made by Sam Pollard, a co-director of the 1987 Oscarnominated Eyes on the Prize, a TV series about Civil Rights-era protests. The film explores the FBI’s petty obsession with Martin Luther King Jr., and the agency’s pursuit of information on King’s extramarital affairs, seeking to raise questions about his integrity and question his status as a moral leader. Information came from surveillance the FBI had been conducting on the activist, first targeting King as a Communist threat, then cynically exploring ways to use information obtained to break MLK’s career. The documentary details a delicate dance between MLK and the Kennedys, who supported his cause, President Lyndon Johnson, who started on the right foot with MLK Jr. but soon distanced himself, and finally with the FBI’s infamous director J. Edgar Hoover, whose personality and paranoia cemented MLK’s fate. Salinas MLK Day March & Vigil 4:30pm Sunday, Jan. 18. March meetup point is Old County Jail, 2 W. Alisal St., Salinas. Seaside MLK Celebration Day 11am Monday, Jan. 19. March meetup is at Obama Way and Noche Buena Street, Seaside. Further festivities begin at noon at Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Marina MLK Jr. Day 11am Monday, Jan. 19. Sculpture Garden by the Marina library, 190 Seaside Circle, Marina. MLK/FBI documentary screening. 7pm Wednesday, Jan. 21. Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. DANIEL DREIFUSS History Now A series of events take place to honor—and learn from— the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. By Agata Popęda Hundreds gathered for Seaside’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration day in 2025, which included a march through city streets. “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY Rehearsals start January 19! REGISTER NOW THE MUSIC THAT CARRIED A PEOPLE Join Monterey Peninsula Voices for a powerful concert exploring the history and evolution of Black sacred music, from the songs of the enslaved to the soul-stirring sounds of modern gospel. Register to sing with Monterey Peninsula Voices at mpvoices.org carmel plaza selected sale soft coats sport coats outerwear carmel-by-the-sea
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