Southland events celebrate King’s life

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FILE - In this Feb. 7 1968 file phoDr. MartLuther King Jr. center speaks an audience while promising massive demonstratispring

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 1968 file photo, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., center, speaks to an audience, while promising a massive demonstration in the spring in Washington and hinting the crusade may be extended to the political party conventions in August. King, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference said the demonstration in Washington will last for weeks and maybe for months. At left is the Rev. Andrew Young, executive Vice President of the Southern Conference. Veterans of past social movements, such as Young, say the Occupy Wall Street protest has been a welcome response to the abysmal economy and has the potential to galvanize wide support, but whether it will lead to lasting political change remains to be seen. “There’s a difference between an emotional outcry and a movement,” said Young, who worked alongside King as a strategist during the civil rights movement. “This is an emotional outcry. The difference is organization and articulation.” (AP Photo, File)

Iraq War veteran J.R. Martinez who also is winner TV show 'Dancing with Stars.' | AP file photo

Iraq War veteran J.R. Martinez, who also is a winner of TV show "Dancing with the Stars." | AP file photo

J.R. Martinez was paired with KarinSmirnoff TV show 'Dancing with Stars.' | File photo

J.R. Martinez was paired with Karina Smirnoff on the TV show "Dancing with the Stars." | File photo

The Rev. Jesse Jackson | AP file photo

J.R. Martinez — an Army veteran, actor, author, motivational speaker and “Dancing With the Stars” winner — will be the keynote speaker Monday at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. The free event will be …