Christ Episcopal Church

Published: January 17, 2016 4:00AM

Local faith leaders celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Saturday by marching with the Kent Interfaith Alliance for Reconciliation and Justice to the Portage County Municipal Court in Kent, 303 E. Main St. At the courthouse, a "Statement Against the Language of Hate and a Call for Civility in Public Discourse" was read. The statement said the group was disturbed by the rise of violence and destruction of human life, and was concerned by the lack of civility in the public discorse.

The march began at the United Church of Christ, 1400 E. Main St., at noon following the Portage County NAACP's annual Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast.

The Kent Interfaith Alliance for Reconciliation and Justice is a group of local faith-based leaders in the Kent and Portage County area. Brought together by their concerns about racism, injustice, cross-cultural conflict, and inter-cultural conflict, they believe in the power of constructive, faith-based action.