St. Paul march, ceremony to mark King holiday

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Most of Minnesota’s most prominent politicians are participating in a St. Paul celebration in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Events start Monday morning at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul with a discussion of the upcoming legislative session sponsored by the Council on Black Minnesotans. That’s followed by the traditional march from the History Center to the Capitol, where there will be a program of speeches and performances.

Gov. Mark Dayton will deliver opening remarks at the program, and the keynote speaker is Congressman Keith Ellison. Other political leaders scheduled to participate include Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Betsy Hodges and Chris Coleman.

Government offices around the state are closed for the King holiday.