Mildred Purdie derived a clear message from Monday’s ecumenical service honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.: When the late civil rights leader talked about unity, he meant everyone.
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“He’s someone that I can show my students and I can say, ‘This is what true sacrifice looks like, this is what true love and compassion truly looks like.'” said Ejaaz Mason. “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.
“High Point University has helped out West End Ministries tremendously today, as they do all year around”, said Brad Bowers, program director at West End Ministries.
Even those who didn’t march lined up along the route to support the marchers and their goal.
People filled the church’s pews and listened to speakers reflect on King’s legacy, and how he’s impacted their lives.
“I have mixed children, and I believe them knowing their heritage and where they come from and know where they’re going and know about Martin Luther King and the dream because we have to realize the dream has come true”.
“Looking to my side and seeing people of all different religions and colors coming together, that’s really what made it a positive experience”, NAACP Youth Council President David Early said. “We need one parade”.
A sign honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.is now one of the first things drivers see getting off Interstate 81 heading into Staunton.
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She tells me she made her way here all the way from Augusta. Every year, the state of CT honors Dr. King’s fight for equality. Boyd noted that Arizona was the only state in the union to actually vote on whether Dr. King’s birthday should be a holiday. It’s that message that will continue to resonate in their hearts, despite the plethora of work that’s still left to be done. “We’re trying to raise up another generation of African Americans who can become teachers and educators, not just for the African American community but trained ON the African American community”, he says.
