ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Latest on Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations around the country (all times local):
11:20 a.m.
LeBron James says honoring the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is more important than ever because "we're ... divided right now by somebody."
James was referring to President Donald Trump, whom the Cavaliers star has openly criticized in the past. James spoke Monday in Ohio as he and his teammates prepared to host Golden State in one of 11 NBA games played on the national holiday for the civil rights leader who was assassinated 50 years ago.
James credited the league for playing games as a tribute "for a man who stood for more than himself."
James noted that king "gave up his life for the betterment of all of us."
Trump has drawn international criticism for disparaging remarks he is said to have made about African countries during a discussion with congressional leaders about immigration.
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10:40 a.m.
With Vice President Mike Pence sitting in the pews, the pastor of a Maryland church denounced the vulgar word President Donald J. Trump is said to have used to describe African nations.
Maurice Watson is pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Largo, Maryland. He delivered the sermon Sunday while Pence was visiting the congregation.
Trump reportedly used an obscenity to describe African nations and Haiti during an immigration discussion with congressional leaders. Trump has denied making the remark.
Watson called the remark "dehumanizing" and "ugly."
The pastor said "whoever made such a statement ... is wrong and they ought to be held accountable."
Watson said he felt "led by God to do it" and noted many of his congregants come from Haiti or African nations.
Worshippers stood up and applauded as Watson spoke.
WUSA-TV reports that Pence became red-faced at times throughout the sermon.
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10:30 a.m.
A South Korean Pentecostal pastor says the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words and actions have inspired him to dream of better relations with North Korea.
The Rev. Young Hoon Lee spoke Monday in Atlanta at Ebenezer Baptist Church where King once preached. His remarks came during a commemorative service for the slain civil rights leader on what would have been his 89th birthday.
Using words from King's "I Have a Dream" speech, the pastor said he dreams "that little boys and girls from North and South Korea will join together as brothers and sisters."
The pastor's short speech came after the Dreamer Children's Choir from the South Korean-based Yoido Full Gospel Church performed "Amazing Grace" and "Christ You are the Fullness."
King's daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, will be the keynote speaker at the service.
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9 a.m.
The pastor of the Atlanta church where the Rev. Martin Luther King once preached is describing as "madness" the disparaging words President Donald Trump is said to have made last week about African nations and Haiti.
At a service Monday to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Ebenezer Baptist Church pastor the Rev. Raphael Warnock also took issue with Trump's campaign slogan to "Make America Great Again."
Warnock said he thinks America "is already great ... in large measure because of Africa and African people."
He urged people in the audience to speak out against such remarks about other countries, noting King's own words that "silence is betrayal."
Trump has denied making the statements and says he is not a racist.
King's daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, will be the keynote speaker at the service.
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7:10 a.m.
Anti-poverty activists in New Mexico and a groundbreaking Cherokee Nation declaration about the tribe's role in promoting equality are part of the focus of Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations.
At gatherings across the nation, activists, residents and teachers are honoring the late civil rights leader ahead of the 50th anniversary of his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee.
Officials of the Oklahoma-based Cherokee Nation are recognizing the holiday for the first time and plan to openly address the tribe's history as slave owners. Months ago, a federal judge ruled Cherokee Freedman have the same rights to citizenship as native Cherokees.
In Atlanta, the Rev. Bernice King, will be the keynote speaker at a commemorative service honoring her father at Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Near Detroit, organizers will hold a peace walk and celebration.
