Share

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. honored during parade in Abilene

“I think one day they’ll do something with it”, Pemry said of the youths’ energy and capacity to spur change.

Advertisement

When 7-year-old Damariya thinks of Martin Luther King, Jr., she thinks of her best friend.

Presidential candidates from both parties used Martin Luther King Jr. “The words… are they representing of the words of Dr. King?”

The Tennessee/Virginia Fellowship Against Racism and the East Tennessee Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship sponsors and organizes the yearly parade on the national holiday honoring Dr. King.

Martin Luther King Jr. “When we had the event on the north side of town, it kind of in itself could have presented may have felt like it was segregated”, says Vanessa Miles. “He had to march and he had to protest, but he did it non-violently”, Robinson said.

“This special day reminds people what we are fighting for and to continue fighting,”said Saturday Academy Program Volunteer Raushaun Michael”. When they were being attacked it looked pretty bad to the nation. People of all ages and all walks of life had something to say about how the late civil rights leader affected their lives.

Brigetta Hall of Newport News, Virginia, who is visiting her family said her family marches every year and she is happy she was able to be a part of it this year.

The theme of this year’s parade was “Our world, his dream, freedom, make it happen, non-violence 365”.

Organizers and people in today’s celebration say honoring Martin Luther King Day is more than just celebrating race equality, but identity too. “So that’s why it’s so important, that why I put the emphasis on our children’s education on the past, and continuing the education of Dr. Martin Luther King, and the struggles we had not only as African Americans, but also as Americans”. I represent African Americans, white people, Asians, Republicans and Democrats… We have moved forward on so many things.

Officers led the MLK procession into downtown Amarillo today.

Advertisement

While people have been distracted by TV reality shows and music “that tears down instead of uplifts”, many injustices have occurred and “we’re about to create right here in this civilized society the wild, wild west with guns”, said King’s daughter, the Rev. Bernice King. “Dr. King had a dream and that dream was so intense … that hardship, sweat, tears, threats on his life, firebombs and countless arrests didn’t stop him, no matter the odds that came against him”.

Keeping Martin Luther King's legacy alive