An annual Martin Luther King Day event, at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center, attracted several hundred people Monday. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown was the keynote speaker. Brown talked about "building the beloved community" called for by Dr. King.
Brown says it's possible if people realize their well-being is tied to the well-being of others.
"Dr. King believed, that to bring the kind of change that would lift every American citizen we couldn't just simply rely on legislation we had to change the hearts and minds of men and women. And to do that we have to reach out to one another in a spirit of love, and in a spirit of harmony, and a spirit of unity," Brown said.
Attendees also heard from Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. She says Dr. King's message is still alive and it highlights the need for social justice and racial justice reform - including how the bail system operates.
"But also when you talk about disparity in how women of color are treated. There's still a significant pay gap for women of color compared to men, white men, or even white women."
Hochul says the Cuomo Administration believes the reforms will pass now that Democrats control the Senate and the Assembly. The annual MLK Day event was hosted by New Hope Baptist Church, in Buffalo.