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Art and music filled the halls of Powderhorn Park Recreation Center in Minneapolis Monday for the neighborhood's 28th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

Little kids and grandparents danced in the rec center gym as more than 20 musicians in the Minneapolis Brass Solidarity band played trumpets, saxophones, drums and clarinets. 

“This represents an opportunity for community to gather, have a meal together, celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Catharine Bushman, director of the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association.

Bushman said the event has taken on a new meaning this year. Immigration enforcement has ramped up in the city and 

an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Macklin Good

"This event, as it stands, is to celebrate community, and our community is under attack right now. It's always been the mission of the neighborhood association to celebrate joy, to celebrate love and celebrate community, so we're focusing on that."

The celebration also includes activities for kids. James Edwards and his daughter Luella are coloring images of King.

There are also poets and artists. Illustrator Emika Rainbow was there with her book “Nana and Abuela.” She read to the kids and did activities with them. 

"I get to ask kids in the community, like, what does kindness mean to you? They're like, hugging people and taking turns and simple things, like listening, smiling,” Rainbow said. 

Minneapolis blues legend Cornbread Harris is there, too, playing the keyboard. The brass band asks people to remember who the community has lost.

People laugh and cry. Blow bubbles. And keep dancing to the music.

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Art and music filled the halls of Powderhorn Park Recreation Center in Minneapolis Monday for the neighborhood's 28th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.


A brass band,  art-making and dancing filled the halls of Powderhorn Park Recreation Center in Minneapolis today. Alex V. Cipolle reports from the neighborhood's 28th annual MLK Celebration.

Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis celebrates MLK Day

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