Wyoming Celebrates MLK Jr. Day and Equality Day - KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, Sports

Wyoming Celebrates MLK Jr. Day and Equality Day

On Monday over 200 people walked from the Depot in Cheyenne to the State Capitol in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Equality Day.

Across the country people remembered Dr. King with marches, celebrations and church services.

In Wyoming, they marched for the Civil Rights leader and for Equality Day, a holiday unique to the state.

Wyoming's been celebrating both holidays since 1990 largely thanks to the state's first African American elected to the Legislature, Senator Harriet Elizabeth Byrd.

Representative Jim Byrd - (D) Laramie County - says his mother wanted "recognition for Martin Luther King Jr. and a day consistent with the federal holiday." Of course, it took compromise to get what she wanted. Senator Byrd was able to sell the legislation by making it a two-for-one deal.

Many think of Equality Day is an extension of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. "We represent it as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Wyoming is the Equality State so equality is already there" says Rochelle Brooks-Lyons.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was made a federal holiday in 1986.