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The officers and members of the Bogalusa Voters League will sponsor a Bogalusa community-wide Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade and Service on Monday, Jan. 20.

The host church is Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Raymond E. Mims Sr. The church is located at 1104 Poplas St. Everyone is invited to join. The parade will start from the corner of North Avenue and MLK Drive at 1 p.m. and the service will start at 3 p.m.

The speaker will be Olander “Smitty” Smith, retired Louisiana State Trooper (Retired Major), former Franklinton Chief of Police, and former Washington Parish Chief Deputy.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday in the United States honoring the achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement to end racial segregation. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is close to King’s birthday of Jan. 15.

The bill to establish the holiday was signed by President Ronald Reagan on Nov. 2, 1983. The first observance nationwide was in 1986, but some states opposed to observe it as a paid holiday for state employees. As of the year 2000, all 50 states officially recognize the holiday.

King is one of only three people who have national holidays in the United States. The other two are Christopher Columbus and George Washington.

Marvin Austin Sr., league president, is asking all clubs, organizations, sororities and fraternities to participate and wear any organization attire.

Those who anticipate participation in the parade and service can contact Austin at 985-570-4547, Mrs. Celeste Young at 985-750-4499 or Ms. Marilyn Lott at 985-273-2855, by Thursday, Jan. 16.

For additional information on the events, contact Austin at 985-570-4547.