(Kim Tunnicliffe/WBZ NewsRadio 1030)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- At the 2018 MLK Memorial Breakfast at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, leaders honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by speaking against hate and division--including that put forward by President Donald Trump.
Massachusetts' two U.S. Senators didn't mince words when speaking to the 1,200 people in attendance--saying the world needed Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of peace and inclusion now more than ever.
"Today we face the challenge of an openly racist president," Sen. Elizabeth Warren told the crowd. "Donald Trump is a racist bully, and we know how to deal with bullies. We do not back down, we do not give up."
On Friday, the same day the White House held an event honoring Dr. King's legacy, Trump complained about having to accept immigrants from nations like Haiti, El Salvador, and African nations, describing them as "shithole" countries.
More: Local Politicians, Immigrants React To Trump's Alleged Vulgar Comment
Sen. Ed Markey said that, rather than making America great again, Trump wanted to "Make America hate again."
"Donald Trump has a dream that one day, America will be surrounded by a wall, that one day, America will have no more Muslims or mosques," Markey said.
He fired up the crowd, vowing to fight against hate and divisiveness--and asked for their help.
"Are you ready here in Massachusetts to continue to be the students of Dr. King?" he asked. "To be the individuals of great conscience standing up for what we are going to do in Dr. King's name?"
Though Gov. Charlie Baker did not mention Trump by name, he spoke against division.
"To those who would demean others simply because they are different, I have a simple message," he said. "This country is great because of its diversity, not in spite of it."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports