Austin MLK Day march draws thousands: See the photos

For Martin Luther King Jr. Day, hundreds gathered on a cold morning at the Texas Capitol for a community rally that included remarks from public officials, community members and musical performances.

At the end of the morning program, the hundreds of attendees became thousands and the march through Downtown Austin to Huston-Tillotson University began, see the photos.

Children from the community lead the 2026 MLK Community March through Downtown Austin from the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. Thousands joined the march from the Texas Capitol to Huston-Tillotson University.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

The Soul Train Drum Line from Northeast Early College High School performs at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Attendees watch the Soul Train Drum Line from Northeast Early College High School perform at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Ami Plasse holds up a sign at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin. "At this moment, we need the voive of Martin Luther King Jr.," Plasse said about attending the event. "I don't think enough people are getting out on the street and making their voices heard."
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Lynn Tozser holds up a sign for Martin Luther King Jr. at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Sky Turntine, president of the Student Government Association at Huston-Tillotson University, speaks at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

A box from the Central Texas Food Bank is filled with donations by attendees at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

The Soul Train Drum Line from Northeast Early College High School performs at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Children from the community hold up a banner at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Scott Giberson holds up a sign with a photo of Martin Luther King Jr. at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

An event attendee holds up a sign with a photo of Martin Luther King Jr. at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Members of the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church choir perform at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Children from the community lead the 2026 MLK Community March from the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin. Thousands joined the march from the Texas Capitol to Huston-Tillotson University.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Queen Williams, a Lee Lewis Campbell Elementary student and winner of the 21st Annual MLK Oratory Competition, speaks at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Queen Williams, a Lee Lewis Campbell Elementary student and winner of the 21st Annual MLK Oratory Competition, speaks at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Lydia Moore, an event attendee from Ebenezer Baptist Church, holds up a sign at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Austin City Council member Natasha Harper-Madison speaks at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

The Soul Train Drum Line from Northeast Early College High School performs at the 2026 MLK Community March at the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Students from Huston-Tillotson University march in the 2026 MLK Community March from the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin. Thousands joined the march from the Texas Capitol to Huston-Tillotson University.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Peggy Dudley carries a sign during the 2026 MLK Community March from the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin. "I was looking through Martin Luther King Jr.'s sayings and I think this is the one we need right now," Dudley said about her sign.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

The Soul Train Drum Line from Northeast Early College High School marches in the 2026 MLK Community March from the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin. Thousands joined the march from the Texas Capitol to Huston-Tillotson University.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

H-E-B employees carry a. banner in the 2026 MLK Community March from the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin. Thousands joined the march from the Texas Capitol to Huston-Tillotson University.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Travis County juddge Andy Brown marches in the 2026 MLK Community March from the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin. Thousands joined the march from the Texas Capitol to Huston-Tillotson University.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Thousands of attendees march down 11th street from the Texas Capitol in the 2026 MLK Community March on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin. The march started at the Texas Capitol and ended at Huston-Tillotson University.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Misael Ramos, a member of the Austin chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, marches in the 2026 MLK Community March from the Texas Capitol on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 in Downtown Austin. Thousands joined the march from the Texas Capitol to Huston-Tillotson University.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Jan 19, 2026