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Photos: Boston commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Here's how the Boston community commemorated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Celtics Jaylen Brown addresses the crowd about racial injustice on MLK Day before the start of the Celtics game. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

By Gwen Egan

Boston’s connection to Martin Luther King Jr. dates back to King’s time at Boston University when he met his wife Coretta Scott King while studying to receive his Ph.D. in systematic theology. In the South End, a plaque reads, “This home, built in 1884, was home to Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1952-53 while he was enrolled in the Graduate School of Boston University.”

This year, the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown — with an already impressive resume of political activism — took to the court Monday for a pre-game speech addressing racism. “Systemic racism is real, it plagues the city of Boston as well as the rest of our society,” Brown said, thanking King for his sacrifice and emphasizing that the work is not done.

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See more of how Boston commemorated the legacy of King in photos:

Celtics Jaylen Brown addresses the crowd about racial injustice on MLK Day before the start of the Celtics game against the Pelicans at TD Garden. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
Rendering of “The Embrace,” the memorial monument and plaza dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King on Boston Common. The completed project, created by Hank Willis Thomas and Mass Design Group, will be installed early next year. (King Boston, Hank Willis Thomas and Mass Design Group)
Minister Dr. Kevin C. Peterson reacts to a speaker during a gathering outside of Faneuil Hall to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy held by The New Democracy Coalition. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Boston South Asian Coalition tweets out a series of images and little-known facts about King.
Rose Willis, 6, carries a placard of flowers with her mother during a Martin Luther King Jr. event organized by Many Helping Hands 365 in Cambridge. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
An attendee of the 52nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast tweets out screenshots of the virtual event.
Rev. Willie Bodrick, II the senior pastor at the Twelfth Baptist Church during their Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation ceremony in Roxbury. Matthew J Lee/Globe staff

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