ATLANTA (AP) -- A scholar and activist invoked the fiery side of Martin Luther King Jr.'s rhetoric Monday at the civil rights icon's church, urging the audience not to "sanitize" King's legacy or let the president off the hook on issues like poverty. Across the United States, Americans marked what would have been King's 81st birthday with rallies and parades. And days ahead of the anniversary of his historic inauguration, President Barack Obama honored King by serving meals to the needy. But in the city where the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize winner was born, it was Princeton University professor Cornel West who reminded listeners that King's message of nonviolence came with a fiery urgency. West delivered a passionate keynote address to hundreds at Ebenezer Baptist Church on the 25th federal observance of King's birthday.(19 images)
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Bridget Johnson holds a clock of Martin Luther King that she brought with her to City Park for the annual Martin Luther King Day Parade on Monday in Denver, Colo. The event is the largest Martin Luther King Day Parade in the country. Getty Images / Matt McClain
Denisha Shorts, 12, center, and her sister, Rhian Shorts, 14, right, ride in an RV from the Now Faith Christian Center Church on Monday in Denver, Colo. Getty Images / Matt McClain
Shania Morris and other students take part in anti-violence march on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Federal holiday, in Philadelphia, Monday. AP / Matt Rourke
Byron Moore, 17, center, dances with Kayla Kuykendoll, 15, right, in City Park on Monday in Denver, Colo. Getty Images / Matt McClain
Patricia Lester, right, and Frieda England celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. march from 12th Avenue in Sacramento, Calif. Monday morning. The Sacramento Bee / Jose Luis Villegas
A photograph of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. adorns the shirt of Rogers Thomas of Denver as he takes part in the 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade through the streets of Denver on Monday. AP / David Zalubowski
Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., joins hands with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, left, and her cousin Isaac Newton Farris as they sing "We Shall Overcome" during the Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church Monday in Atlanta. AP / John Bazemore
Cal Merrell reacts during the Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church Monday in Atlanta. AP / John Bazemore
A crowd marches along St. Paul's Marshall Avenue to celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday in St. Paul, Minn. AP / Brian Peterson
Alphie Smith holds a sign outside the Old Courthouse as she participates in a march along with several hundred people in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday in St. Louis. AP / Jeff Roberson
More than 120 guests, black and white, joined hands and voices to sing "We Shall Overcome" at the conclusion of the Miami County YWCA Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration in Piqua, Ohio on Monday. AP / Piqua Daily Call / Mike Ullery
Alanna Dickey holds her picture of Martin Luther King Jr. during a ceremony honoring his memory, Monday in Tallahassee, Fla. AP / Phil Coale
Members of the group African Heritage Dancers & Drummers perform during a program to celebrate the legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington. AP / Nick Wass
Tyrone Austin marches along with others to take part in the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, at Girard College in Philadelphia, Monday. AP / Matt Rourke
President Barack Obama, right, honors the Martin Luther King legacy by serving meals to the needy at a facility in Washington, D.C. on Monday. Getty Images / Pool
Essence Lewis, 14, of the Cole Arts and Science Academy warms up with her fellow dance team members prior to the beginning of the Martin Luther King Day parade on Monday in Denver, Colo. Getty Images / Matt McClain
President Barack Obama makes remarks during the Let Freedom Ring Concert celebrating Martin Luther King Day on Monday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. AFP / Getty Images / Tim Sloan
Hundreds march along Salisbury Street in Raleigh, N.C., during the 30th Annual Martin Luther King Holiday Memorial March on Monday. Raleigh News & Observer / Travis Long
A person walks past a sign during the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, at Girard College in Philadelphia, Monday. AP / Matt Rourke
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