The gymnasium at Seattle’s Garfield High School was packed as a range of speakers honored the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and talked of the work left to do. This event was held in the middle school’s auditorium.
Advertisement
The theme of freedom is especially meaningful this year, she said, because it is the 50th anniversary of her father’s trip to Chicago to highlight the need for open and fair housing.
Surrounded by individuals of all ages, Dororthy Wright smiled as she watched the children of her church pick up candy thrown from floats in the parade. The federal holiday is the third Monday in January and has been celebrated since 1986. Speeches at the rally provided perspectives from women, a transgender student, and young people.
“We’ve partnered again with the Reading City Fire Department for the MLK Day of Service to go and install smoke alarms throughout this area of the city”, said Adrian Grieve, Tri-County Red Cross executive director. She was on the front lines during the civil rights movement and even hosted King at her home on multiple occasions. She said she looks at generations now and is thankful for the struggles she faced so children now don’t have to face the same hardships. We have politicians talking about Muslims in this country as if they’re not American citizens, trying to make more discord among our friends and families, trying to separate us from each other.
“To make valentine’s day cards for sick people to make them more happy”, said Sydney Willard, a seven year old Girl Scout Brownie. “Dr. King has taught me to keep love in my heart and accept people as well as to have tolerance”.
Maxwell said she remembers huddling around a television in Mobile, Alabama, to watch him speak.
Collins noted the diverse group of people who braved the cold to honor Dr. King on Monday.
“He spoke to those marginalized and oppressed so that they felt like somebody and that gave them hope; I think that is what society is missing today – his voice”. “We always have to fight for them and freedom is a struggle too”, N.A.A.C.P. Treasurer Michael Lundy said.
King also helped to organize the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. “I think there’s an essence to his spirit that we can all try to embody”, Schnider said.
“Harry Butler taught me how to be a better human being, as well as Martin Luther King”, Robinson said.
Advertisement
So instead of “Equality Day” in Wyoming, let’s change that to what it really is, “Martin Luther King Jr Day” and put it to rest once and for all.
