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Martin Luther King Jr. Day marked by ‘No Shots Fired’ plea

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Martin Luther King, Jr., was honored Monday with parades, marches, a Google Doodle -- and a poignant plea to turn this holiday into a “No Shots Fired” Day.

The King Center, devoted to King’s philosophy of nonviolence while working to eliminate poverty and racism, has cast a harsh light on the work that still needs to be done by launching a new campaign calling on the world to abstain from all forms of violence Monday.

And not just gun violence.

PHOTOS: MLK and the civil rights struggle

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The center urged everyone to avoid violent images in the media. Violent lyrics in music. Violent video games. Violent language. And any kind of physical violence.

“Let’s honor Dr. King by abstaining from violence on his holiday,” the Choose Nonviolence campaign urges.

The civil rights leader was born in Atlanta on Jan. 15, 1929. The third Monday in January is the day the nation sets aside to honor the iconic figure who was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis. On Monday, there were also church services, the pealing of bells, and the laying of flowers at his grave site in Atlanta and at his memorial in Washington, D.C., to recognize his fight for peace and equality.

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A Google Doodle incorporated white doves and imagery of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial.

“Dr. King’s philosophy of non-violence is more relevant, I believe, than it was 10 years ago,” King’s daughter, Bernice, told Reuters. “America has an enormous appetite for violence. I don’t know why we have such an affinity for that, but I do know it has to stop.”

How are you honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? Tweet me @renelynch

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