COLUMBUS (WCMH) –The annual Martin Luther King Jr. March in Columbus is underway.

The march is one of several events that were planned across the capital city today. The day started with the annual breakfast held at the Columbus Convention Center, the largest event of its kind in the county.

Hundreds gathered at the Greater Columbus Convention Center to celebrate the life and legacy of a civil rights icon at the 32nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Breakfast. It is the largest gathering of its kind in the nation to honor Dr. King.

The program included speeches from elected officials and student orators as well as musical selections. This year’s keynote speech came from former Mayor of Columbus Michael Coleman. Coleman was the longest serving mayor of the city, serving from 2000-2015.

Chante Rutherford says she has been attending this event as long as she can remember, and learning from Dr. King’s example. “There are people without a voice and those who don’t have a voice can’t speak. With him speaking for those who don’t have a voice, their message gets pushed up more, it gets more attention.”

Josiah Kelly also reveres Dr. King and is following his lead by standing up to help others. “He was a real activist, a real tough guy. He stood up for a lot of us.”

The theme of this year’s breakfast was “Cooperation, Acceptance, Peace & Caring.”