LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville came together Wednesday to honor the life and legacy of boxing legend Muhammad Ali during the annual Day of Compassion at the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville.
The event invited people to reflect on one of Ali’s core beliefs — serving others — through volunteer projects and community service efforts held throughout the day.
Wednesday also marked 10 years since Ali’s death following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Thousands of visitors lined downtown streets and gathered at the center to pay their respects.
Lonnie Ali, his widow, said the day serves as a powerful reminder that compassion goes far beyond being a simple trait.
"Many think compassion is a soft skill. We have learned and we know it isn’t," she said. "It means choosing to look suffering in the eye and not turn away. It means choosing humanity when division is louder and kindness when anger would be easier."
Organizers said more than 40 service projects were completed as part of the day’s observance.
The celebration of Ali’s life and impact will continue throughout the week at the center.
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