Today is a day to celebrate a great man. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a man of vision and who lived each day knowing that in order to affect change, one must be willing to change as well. Dr. King said, “change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.”

Although there has been much suffering over the past nine months, today we must call on our courage to move forward. This is a day to remember the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was a man who fought what must have seemed like insurmountable hardships and unrest with words of love and a belief in peace. His courage and determination endure today.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader among men. His belief in and dedication toward achieving equality, friendship and understanding among all men through non-violence was the very essence of who he was. His life was not a long one (1929-1968), but in those few short years he became a transformational leader challenging the “system” and promoting the ideals of justice and removing barriers of segregation. Dr. King’s principles of creating change for the betterment of all men through peaceful demonstrations was his hallmark and it is what we must embrace and practice today.

Today we celebrate the life of a man who left us too soon. A man whose legacy lives on and a legacy that I ask each of you to join me in honoring. In the words of Dr. King, “hate begets hate, violence begets violence, toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love.”

On the third Monday of January each year we celebrate a day of remembrance for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was known for his spirit of altruism and peace in the face of diversity. Due to the current COVID pandemic, we are unable to celebrate this day with friends and family in a great hall, but we can do so quietly and respectfully in our own homes.

As your mayor I encourage each of you to remember the lessons of Dr. King and his commitment to peace, love and non-violence. This day let us celebrate the life of Dr. King and find peace where discord exists, love where there may be hate and common ground where there may be a divide.

Wilfred Rosas is the mayor of Dunkirk.