Nonviolence, service, themes of King day events

WASHINGTON (AP) - As he took part in a painting project at a Washington, DC middle school, President Barack Obama urged Americans to get out into their communities...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nonviolence and public service — those legacies of Martin Luther King have been the themes of today’s events commemorating the holiday in his memory.

As he took part in a painting project at a Washington, DC middle school, President Barack Obama urged Americans to get out into their communities.

In Philadelphia, hundreds of volunteers including Mayor Michael Nutter helped refurbish computers for needy residents as part of the city’s “day of service” events to mark the King holiday.

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Attorney General Eric Holder, in Atlanta, said the Tucson shootings are a reminder that the struggle against violence continues.

Holder, speaking at King’s former church, described him as “our nation’s greatest drum major of peace.”

The church’s pastor called for members of Congress to show solidarity during the State of the Union Address this month.

Copyright 2011, The Associated Press

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