Several hundred people filled the Capitol rotunda today for the state’s official Martin Luther King-Idaho Human Rights Day ceremony, marking the state holiday. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired millions of Americans to participate in non-violent demonstrations to support the ideals of equality for all, and was a motivating force behind the civil rights movement that had as its goal the creation of a society inclusive of all races, cultures and nationalities,” Lt. Gov. Brad Little told the crowd, reading an official proclamation from the governor declaring the holiday. “The ideas of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Idaho’s commitment to human rights are worthy of reflection and serve as a reminder that improving the quality of life for all members of society is everyone’s responsibility.”

Some of the well-bundled attendees carried protest signs from marching to the Capitol before the ceremony to demonstrate for human rights. The ceremony included performances by the Common Ground Community Chorus and the Boise State University Trumpeters; the Idaho Peace Quilt is on display.

Said Ahmed-Zaid, a professor in the college of engineering at Boise State University, said in his keynote address, “Although we have made great strides toward a color-blind American, the journey is not yet over yet.” He said, “Some people hate other people simply because they are different.”

Ahmed-Zaid said the opposite of hate is not love, as many think, but law. “Yes, love trumps hate, but law trumps hate more effectively,” he said. Quoting Elie Wiesel, he said, “The opposite of love is not hate – it is indifference.”

In honor of today’s state holiday, many are observing a “Day of Service” to honor King. According to the program for today’s official start ceremony, the idea is to bring “citizens together to serve one another in the spirit of building bridges of understanding and acceptance of each other.”

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