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Published on January 21, 2025
Arizona's Journey from Controversy to Celebration of MLK Day Highlights Economic Impact and Civil Rights LegacySource: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Arizona's struggle to fully embrace Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a state holiday has garnered national attention over the years, as the path to recognition was marked by controversy and economic repercussions. The Phoenix New Times recounts the initial establishment of the holiday by then-Democratic Governor Bruce Babbitt in 1986, which was subsequently revoked by his successor Evan Mecham on the basis that Babbitt's proclamation was beyond his authority. The move sparked an uproar that included, boycotts from high-profile musicians and financial losses for the state, including the relocation of the 1993 Super Bowl.

The ballot propositions of 1990 failed to secure the holiday's status, which continued to mire Arizona in controversy. Notably, the state faced economic backlash as it lost the Super Bowl, and musicians like Stevie Wonder and Public Enemy stood firm in their refusal to perform in Arizona until the holiday was officially recognized. This decision, by the voters, directly impacted the state's coffers, as highlighted in the West Valley View, denying Phoenix an estimated $200 million in revenue.

Today, Maricopa County hosts several events to commemorate Dr. King's legacy, from volunteer efforts that target local communities to marches that reflect on the civil rights movement's enduring impact. Larnell Farmer, president of the NAACP West Valley Branch, told West Valley View, "People want to put King in this category of all he ever said was ‘I Have a Dream,’ because we see that speech over and over and over again, when he was so much more than that… One way we should celebrate is just to remember what his legacy was, which was more than just that ‘I Have a Dream’ speech that a lot of people cling to."