In Cleveland, dozens of people marched more than three miles into downtown from the Cudell Recreation Center, where 12-year-old Tamir Rice was shot by an officer last November.
Local protester Courtney Drain said the march evoked King's legacy of resistance.
"Dr. King's legacy wasn't all peachy and holding hands and Kumbayas," he said. "It was disruption of the system. It was disruption of traffic. It was disruption of business as usual. There's no more of a fitting day to do this."
Demonstrators took over Detroit Avenue as they marched through Cleveland's west side. Police confirmed three people were arrested at the Detroit-Superior Bridge in connection with the protests.
