MLK honored in annual march

By Megan McDonald
Western Herald

Participants march down Rose Street in downtown Kalamazoo towards Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park on Monday. (Jo Looi / Western Herald)

Hundreds of people marched downtown Kalamazoo to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park Monday afternoon to remember and honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The march started at 3:30 p.m. at the flagpoles near Kanley Chapel on Western Michigan University’s Campus, twisted through Kalamazoo College and ended in the center of MLK Park downtown Kalamazoo, near the train station.

Ralph Johnson (left), Margarita Cabazos (center), and Mercedes Licavoli (right) working on a poster prior to the march to Dr. Martin Luther King Park Jr. Memorial Park at the Bernhard center on Monday. (Jo Looi / Western Herald)

Preceding the march, many students and organizations gathered in the Bernhard Center’s Student Organization Center to make posters displaying quotes from King or strong phrases showing their support for his vision.  WMU freshman Tushona Matthews chose “Let Freedom Ring” to put on her poster.

“It’s a good feeling to know that one person [King] can make such a difference in the whole world and change so many people’s thoughts and feelings,” Ralph Johnson, a WMU Junior, said.

The theme to this year’s MLK celebration is “The Strength to Love,” to embrace King’s legacy of loving in the face of hatred.  Many students and community leaders came out to support this theme by marching in the parade.

“It’s not just an individual day. It’s a day for everyone to come together to make a difference,” WMU student Ashley Davis said.

Upon reaching MLK Park, everyone gathered around a statue of Dr. King while Mayor Bobby Hopewell thanked the crowd for coming out and lead them in the activities that proceeded.  He introduced WMU Provost Tim Greene and Congressman Fred Upton.

“This is a special day for all Americans,” Upton said. “So let’s think of Dr. King, he was a leader in this country. He still leads today.”

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton giving a speech at the end of the march at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in downtown Kalamazoo on Monday. (Jo Looi / Western Herald)

A wreath was laid on the statue of Dr. King, after which hundreds of students, faculty, community members and leaders sang the civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome,” followed by a prayer to honor MLK.  Blue and white balloons were then released in unison to signify the unity and the coming together of all people.

“As a city commissioner, I like the One Kalamazoo statement in this last campaign and I think the “unity” in community is an important thing,” City Commissioner Terry Kuseske said.

“We are in a different place today. That doesn’t mean we don’t have work to do. We have a lot of work to do,” Hopewell said. “But what Dr. King was hoping for was that no matter the pigmentation, no matter how tall you are or how short you are, no matter if you are male or female, black or white, that you have an opportunity.  That’s what we are celebrating. That’s the legacy he has left us with today.”

Hot chocolate was handed out and buses were provided to shuttle marchers back to WMU campus.  Sponsors of this year’s MLK Celebration included Kalamazoo’s Northside Ministerial Association and Western Michigan University as well as Kalamazoo College, Borgess Medical Center and Bronson Methodist Hospital.

Participants march down Rose St. in downtown Kalamazoo towards Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park on Monday. (Jo Looi / Western Herald)

Provost Timothy Green, Ph.D., greets the crowd before giving a speech at the end of the march at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in downtown Kalamazoo on Monday. (Jo Looi / Western Herald)

Marchers hold up signs and posters during the walk to Dr. Martin Luther King Park Jr. Memorial Park to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. (Jo Looi / Western Herald)

Mayor Bobby Hopewell giving a speech at the end of the march at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in downtown Kalamazoo on Monday. (Jo Looi / Western Herald)

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=13763

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Jan 19 2010. Filed under Breaking, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com