local
Hawaii displays historic photos of Martin Luther King Jr. wearing flower lei during Selma march
By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 30, 2026
· 3 min read
Photographs of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. adorned with flower lei from Hawaii residents who traveled to Selma, Alabama, to join him on a pivotal Civil Rights march went on public display Tuesday in the state Capitol in Honolulu. The Selma-to-Montgomery marches galvanized passage of the Votin...
Key takeaway The Selma-to-Montgomery marches galvanized passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which did away with most barriers such as poll taxes and other forms of voter discrimination targeting Black Americans in the Deep South.
Why this matters in The Pearland
While the historic photos of Martin Luther King Jr. wearing flower lei are now on display in Hawaii, the story also has relevance to the Houston area, including Pearland , where residents continue to celebrate diversity and promote social justice. The Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was galvanized by the Selma-to-Montgomery marches, has had a lasting impact on the community, protecting the rights of Black Americans and other minority groups in Brazoria County. The exhibit serves as a connection to the local efforts to commemorate significant events in the Civil Rights movement, and it may inspire similar displays or events in Pearland and surrounding areas. As the community in Pearland continues to grow and diversify, it is essential for residents to learn from and appreciate the history of the Civil Rights movement, and the role that people from other states, like Hawaii, played in shaping the nation's progress.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Photographs of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. adorned with flower lei from Hawaii residents who traveled to Selma, Alabama, to join him on a pivotal Civil Rights march went on public display Tuesday in the state Capitol in Honolulu. The Selma-to-Montgomery marches galvanized passage of the Votin...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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