The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech entitled “Beyond Vietnam” a year to the day before his assassination. Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Chicago, repurposed King’s message from 59 years ago to “Beyond Venezuela.”

Jackson said King knew he would alienate people with a message criticizing the war being pursued by then U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. Nevertheless, he was compelled to speak and take an antiwar position.

“‘It was time to break the silence,’” Jackson said, quoting King. “Silence is a form of betrayal. With Venezuela, it’s time to break the silence. We are not going to solve any of our problems with violence.”

Jackson made his remarks to more than 600 people as the keynote speaker at the annual Waukegan Township Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dreamers’ Breakfast on Monday in Gurnee, remembering King’s legacy on the national holiday created in 1983 to honor him.

Waukegan Township Supervisor Marc Jones said the theme this year was strength in solidarity. It aligned with Jackson’s remarks, as well as those of U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, and the Rev. Heriberto Ramirez, a former Waukegan resident now leading a church in Wisconsin.

“Solidarity is what transforms individual strength into collective power,” Jones said. “When we stand together, our burdens become lighter, our voices become louder and our impact becomes greater. Solidarity reminds us no one is invisible, no one is alone and no one’s pain or potential is insignificant.”

A dancer from Waukegan-based Ballet Folklorico entertains more than 600 people at the annual Waukegan Township Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dreamers’ Breakfast Monday in Gurnee. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Along with speeches from a variety of community members, there were prayers from local clergy, songs from a choir, dancers and 20 people were honored as “Drum Majors for Justice” for actions they took to better the community.

Although the day was set aside to honor King and his legacy, Operation Midway Blitz, carried out in the Chicago area by federal immigration enforcement agents, as well as the related activity now taking place in Minnesota, were on people’s minds.

Jackson was critical of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. He said they are based on the color of people’s skin and their country of origin, whether it be Mexico, Venezuela or elsewhere.

“There is no such thing as an illegal person. Everyone is part of society, each and every one of us,” Jackson said. “We like avocados. We like tacos. Where do they come from? Mexico.”

Waiting to receive their Drum Major for Justice Award at the annual Waukegan Township Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dreamers’ Breakfast Monday in Gurnee were, from the left, Ed Nero, Carolina Fabian, Carissa Casbon and Wayne Springs Jr. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

Schneider came to the breakfast with a prepared speech. He never gave it. He said after speaking off the cuff about the legacy of King and former U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, that they are important to him. He occupies Lewis’s last office on Capitol Hill.

“When I was growing up, I had a picture in my room, an 8-by-10, with three images on it — John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Dr. King. There was a song then about them,” he added, referring to the lyrics from the tune, “I thought I saw him walking up over the hill with Abraham, Martin and John.”

“Remembering him is very important,” Schneider said during his speech. “His life had purpose, and we should celebrate it. His message to us is to not give up. When the path is difficult, we need to walk it. When we take it, we have to do as he did.”

Emphasizing King’s teachings and the uncertainty of the current situation in the country, Jones said progress does not stem from one individual working alone. King brought people together to push for change.

Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. watches a performance before taking the stage as the keynote speaker at the annual Waukegan Township Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dreamers’ Breakfast Monday in Gurnee. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

“In moments of uncertainty, strength gives us reliance,” Jones said. “Solidarity gives us direction. Together, they give us purpose. They remind us even when the path is difficult, we do not walk alone.”

Ramirez, who once worked for Waukegan Township, now leads a church in Arcadia, Wisconsin. It is an approximate two-hour drive from Minneapolis. He said there are agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Arcadia, a community with a large immigrant population.

“Everyone is afraid,” Ramierz said after his speech. “People won’t leave their homes. I go out to see what is happening and let people know.

Talking about a family of five he knows, Ramirez said the undocumented parents in their 40s, two grown native-born children in professional careers and the youngest at 14 are no longer together.

A crowd of more than 600 people give Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. a standing ovation after his keynote address at the annual Waukegan Township Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dreamers’ Breakfast Monday in Gurnee. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

“They beat the (14-year-old) son,” Ramirez said, referring to ICE agents. “The father was deported. The mother was released after six weeks.”

Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said at the breakfast that he liked what he heard when Jackson said, “No person is illegal.”

“It helps us to find resilience,” Cunningham said. “It inspires me and others to help those who strive for better lives. What Jesse Jackson said will make us stronger in a time of need.”

Dulce Ortiz, the executive director of Mano a Mano Family Resource Center and a Waukegan Township trustee, was named one of the Drum Majors for Justice. She liked what she heard from Jackson about people allegedly in the country illegally.

“It stood out when he said no one is illegal,” Ortiz said. “His call to engage your neighbors is a powerful statement for the time we’re in. No matter who you are, you should be treated with dignity and respect.”

Carolina Fabian, the vice president of the Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Board of Education, was another Drum Major for Justice. She first sounded the alarm about the dangers to families from immigration enforcement in November of 2024.

“It’s important on Martin Luther King Day we are mindful of everything he gave to us and what he stood for,” Fabian said. “He always wanted to help those who were the most needy. We need to be especially mindful of it now.”

Other Drum Majors were the Rev. Alex Soler, U.S. Navy Chief Annie Criddell-Outlaw, Brooklyn Mattison, Lake County Board member Carissa Casbon, Dwane Springs, Ed Nero, Gale Graves, Ian Nigel Whittington, Irshshad Khan and Jason Lenzi.

Others included Jennifer Onan. Jerry Archibald, Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg, North Chicago Ald. Michael R. Jackson, Rene Lee, Shaemia Newsome, Sheryl Porter Gray, Tameka Wilson and Zach DeFlorfio.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/20/mlk-day-dreamers-breakfast/