Protesters Shout at Warren During Ebenezer Sermon

Two women protesters shouted at Rev. Rick Warren shortly after he began his keynote sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church in downtown Atlanta Monday.

One of the women, seen here pointing in the air, waved a yellow scarf, as she shouted, "Rick Warren is a bigot, Rick Warren is a bigot," at Ebenezer Baptist Church during the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Security officials tore the scarf from the woman's hand during the altercation, which took place shortly before 1:00 PM and quickly hustled both out of the sanctuary.

A few moments later, two male protesters stood up and turned their backs to Warren, and were also escorted out of the building.

The identity of the protesters was unclear, although several dozen demonstrators with signs held a protest outside the church earlier against what they said was Warren's positions on gay rights and abortion.

The group was larger earlier in the morning, but dispersed, according to reports.

Security personnel hurry one of the women out of the sanctuary at Ebenezer Baptist Church during the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Police and Sheriff Department details, and FBI and Homeland Security personnel showed a heavy presence in the vicinity of the church, and closed off streets surrounding the building.

Dozens of dignitaries attended the service, including Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, who gave a brief address.

King Day events and ceremonies across Georgia

Georgians are remembering the legacy of Martin Luther King-Jr. on this national holiday. Events across the state have been held throughout the weekend, and many are scheduled for today as well.

U.S. Representative John Lewis spoke at King events at Augusta State University on Saturday. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spoke at services at Ebenezer Baptist Church Sunday. Republican candidate Mike Huckabee is among several politicians and dignitaries attending services today in Atlanta.

Former president Bill Clinton is also in Atlanta this morning for King ceremonies. Following those events, he will travel to Macon for an afternoon campaign rally in support of his wife's presidential candidacy.

CSU commemorates King legacy

Richardson emphasizing a point in his address to faculty and students at CSU, on the anniversary of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Columbus State University celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s today, at a ceremony held on the anniversary of his birth.

Benjamin Richardson, Muscogee County's Solicitor-General and guest speaker, says much of King's legacy has been accomplished:

“I think a lot of Dr. King's legacy has been fulfilled, in terms of opportunities that weren't there before. For instance, my position: I am the first African-American Solicitor-General in Muscogee County. I know without Dr. King and others, that wouldn't have been possible.”

Students and faculty, seen here, repeatedly applauded during Richardson's address. (Photo: Dave Bender)

But Richardson, speaking to a roomful of over 100 students and faculty, says they risk squandering the civil-rights leader's legacy out of apathy and indifference:

“However, those rights and opportunities were not given without much struggle. Dr. King and others fought – and sometimes died – in the civil-rights movement to provide us so many opportunities for us today. But it seems we take those hard-fought rights and opportunities for granted. Unfortunately, we allow those same rights and opportunities to go by the wayside...”

Richardson especially called on the students not to waste their right to vote in coming the elections, and to stay in school.

Click here for more GPB News reports about Dr. King and his family.