Columbus found several ways to honor the memory of The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, including a day of presentations, recognition and livestreamed panel discussions.
But for those who lived through the 1960s, the spirit of the slain civil rights leader may have felt strongest during the Monday afternoon silent march from the Bartholomew County Library to Columbus City Hall.
More than 75 people made the five-block march, culminating with Columbus North student Zacaria Scruggs delivering a passionate reading of King’s classic 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech.
More than a few of the participants in the march were grade-school children. Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop and Columbus Police Chief Michael Richardson marched with the group along with members of the African American Pastors Alliance, the NAACP and other community representatives.
Although some in attendance were not born when King delivered his iconic address in front of the Lincoln Memorial, several pointed out they felt the words are just as relevant today as they were 58 years ago. For example..
“In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence.”
For Josh Richards of Columbus, that part of the speech spells out why it was important for him to make the march.
“I just feel like, with all of the racial struggles and issues we’ve been having, it was particularly important for me to be here,” Richards said.
Before the march got underway, Pastor Johnnie Edwards told the crowd that now is the time for unity, not division.
“We’re all human beings,” said Edwards, Bartholomew County Area NAACP president. “The violence comes about because we don’t respect one another, and that has to stop. Whether we agree or disagree, we have to learn how to respect each other’s decisions. So lets start talking about it. That will help to start bridging the gaps and stopping the hate.”
A couple who attend Edwards’ church in Jennings County — Jeff and Anna Walker of Vernon — said they came to Columbus to march because they are proud of being part of the multi-racial community that Edwards has created.
“We wanted to be out here today to show support for the Black part of our church community, and to just love one another,” Jeff Walker said.
No one deserves to be looked down upon and be made to feel unloved, Anna Walker said. “It’s important that we all begin to see each other as beloved people,” she said. “It’s important to be to be unified together with all people.”
Sponsors of the various events to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day included the African American Pastors’ Alliance, the Bartholomew County Area NAACP and IUPUC.
