The power and legacy of marching peacefully
Various segments of the community come together to celebrate the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The roads and parking lots next to the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church on 15th and Jefferson streets were packed with hundreds of people celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday.
By 9 a.m., with huge signs in hand, the crowd began to march down Washington Street toward the festival at Margaret T. Hance Park. Several signs said “No police brutality,” referencing a community focus on decreasing police shootings in Phoenix. Others read, “I am powerful,” and “Equality.”
Every year since 1985, the Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee has organized the downtown Phoenix march.
Mayor Kate Gallego led the crowd this year holding a lit torch. She said the march is about bringing the community together and celebrating King’s work.
“We have student organizations marching alongside corporate organizations and faith leaders, all in celebration
of Dr. King’s legacy.” she said. “I see today’s celebration as recognizing how far we’ve come but how much work we still have to do.”
From toddlers in strollers to seniors leading their families forward, the march was packed with passion, something Gallego said impressed her.
Teacher and mom Eva Becker brought her two kids to the march, an event that they’ve gone to since they were babies.
“I remember pushing the stroller,” Becker said. As a teacher, she said, this march isn’t just about history, but about supporting inclusivity.
“I just truly believe that all human beings are created equal, and I want to deliver that message to my daughters,” Becker said.
One of her daughters, Alyssa, said the march embodies equality because “it shows that everybody is the same.”
A group of women called the Black Mothers Forum marched proudly with their matching golden shirts and carrying their banner.
“Our goal here today is to get these five generations to work together for the good of our nation and community,” Debora Colbert, one of the members, said.
Several of the marchers said they hope the message of King’s work and legacy doesn’t stop after today.
Becker said she hopes her daughters and others will remember the march’s message of inclusivity and carry it on throughout their daily routine.
“It’s easy to kind of get into your daily life and get into your little bubble,” Becker said.