TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Community members in Tallahassee are set to gather Monday to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., reflecting on his impact on civil rights and his fight for equality.
The Tallahassee branch of the NAACP is hosting its 41st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Rally, bringing residents together for a day of remembrance, unity and civic engagement.
Organizers said the observance is designed to go beyond King’s iconic 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech and highlight the broader work he dedicated his life to.
“It’s very important to continue to remember and commemorate Martin Luther King Jr., not just his dream, but the work that he put in,” said Marlon Williams-Clark, president of the NAACP’s Tallahassee branch. “I’m talking about equality, dignity and living wages.”
Events will begin at the C.K. Steele Bus Plaza with a commemorative program honoring Rev. C.K. Steele. The speaker will be local historian and author, Dr. Yanela McLeod.
Steele was a central figure in the Tallahassee Bus Boycott who worked alongside King during segregation. Steele and King were co-founders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and leaders in the civil rights movement.
“We do this in commemoration and memory of not just Dr. King, but everyone who stood next to him and with him,” said Williams-Clark.
The program will be followed by a march down Adams Street to City Hall, which Williams-Clark said carries deep meaning for the community.
“It is about keeping hope alive. It is about making sure the dream doesn’t die,” Williams-Clark said. “It exemplifies one of our fundamental rights, the right to protest and to petition the government.”
At about 10:45 a.m., the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Rally will be held in the City Hall Commission Chambers. The featured speaker will be Dr. Tiffany Packer, professor of history at Florida A&M University.
At noon the City of Tallahassee will host the MLK Day Parade downtown. The parade will head south on Monroe St. from Tennessee St. Road closures will begin at 10:30 a.m. for parade staging.
The day will end with the Annual Day of Dialogue at 2 p.m., offering space for public discussion and reflection on civil rights issues impacting both the local community and the nation.
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