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The Suffolk Citywide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will not happen this year due to the ongoing pandemic.

The Rev. Felton Whitfield, who is a member of the committee, said the committee’s decision was difficult, but ultimately necessary to protect lives.

“We came to the decision not to have it because of Covid and the majority of people that attend it are senior citizens,” he said.

The event typically is held at a church in Suffolk on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It features guest speakers, community leadership awards and scholarships.

“We will be keeping in contact throughout the community on other events that, hopefully and prayerfully, we will be having next year,” Whitfield said.