TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Community members in Tallahassee gathered 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 hosted 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.”
Dozens gathered at the C.K. Steele Bus Plaza to honor the lives and legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Reverend C.K. Steele(WCTV)
Events began at the C.K. Steele Bus Plaza with a commemorative program honoring Rev. C.K. Steele.
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.
This year’s program featured local historian and author Dr. Yanela McCleod, speaking under the theme “Building the Future, Keeping the Dream.”
“As Dr. King so powerfully charged us, if you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but above all means, keep moving forward,” McCleod said.
The program was 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.”
The march ended at City Hall where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Rally was held in the Commission Chambers. The featured speaker was Dr. Tiffany Packer, professor of history at Florida A&M University.
The City of Tallahassee also hosted the Day of Dialogue and its annual MLK Day Parade and Festival.
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