MLK “Marade” Takes Over Coast
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. promised that a man who stands for nothing will fall for anything. Dr. King standing on the front lines for Civil Rights is what led to former President Ronald Reagan signing a bill into law in 1983. This law called for the nation to honor Dr. King every third Monday in January starting in 1986. Thirty years later, our nation continues to commemorate him. News 25’s Bryan Kennedy caught up with marchers as they hit the streets of Biloxi to honor Dr. King.
Songs, dancing, they all filled the Biloxi streets this morning as Coast residents pounded the pavement in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The parade and march or marade was led by the children of former District 4 Supervisor William Martin. Martin was posthumously awarded the title of grand marshal for today’s parade after the well-known leader took his own life in the midst of bribery charges. While there may still be a shadow over his sudden death for some, Martin will always be a light for the children who sat tall to represent him: Tyler, Wendolyn and Kegi Martin. “Words can’t express how elated and flattered I know I am and I know I can speak for my brother and my sister when I say that our family and our friends and close friends greatly appreciate being able to be out here and represent him,” said Wendolyn Martin.
Hundreds of Coast residents of all ages and color followed behind the Martins in today’s marade. The marade began at the Frank Gruich Community Center and weaved throughout downtown Biloxi. The almost two mile march was in honor of Dr. King and his legacy, a legacy older marchers hope to pass on to the younger generation. Vice President of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Alumnae Chapter Zeleder Barnes said, “We have our youth groups with us and we are teaching them the legacy of Dr. King and all of the things he stood for, certainly equality for mankind, good things for all people, not just for one race but for everybody.”
While the marade did eventually end at MGM Park, events honoring Dr. King and his legacy won’t be ending any time soon. Gordon Jackson with the MLK Coastwide Celebration Committee said, “What we are also doing is that we are redistributing some of our events to February to observe Black History Month as well.”
Even though today’s events were in honor of Dr. King, Jackson says its the words of former President John F. Kennedy "If not us, who? If not now, when?" that fueled this year’s activities.
For a full list of upcoming events by the MLK Coastwide Celebration Committee, visit MLKcoastwide.com.
Songs, dancing, they all filled the Biloxi streets this morning as Coast residents pounded the pavement in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The parade and march or marade was led by the children of former District 4 Supervisor William Martin. Martin was posthumously awarded the title of grand marshal for today’s parade after the well-known leader took his own life in the midst of bribery charges. While there may still be a shadow over his sudden death for some, Martin will always be a light for the children who sat tall to represent him: Tyler, Wendolyn and Kegi Martin. “Words can’t express how elated and flattered I know I am and I know I can speak for my brother and my sister when I say that our family and our friends and close friends greatly appreciate being able to be out here and represent him,” said Wendolyn Martin.
Hundreds of Coast residents of all ages and color followed behind the Martins in today’s marade. The marade began at the Frank Gruich Community Center and weaved throughout downtown Biloxi. The almost two mile march was in honor of Dr. King and his legacy, a legacy older marchers hope to pass on to the younger generation. Vice President of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Alumnae Chapter Zeleder Barnes said, “We have our youth groups with us and we are teaching them the legacy of Dr. King and all of the things he stood for, certainly equality for mankind, good things for all people, not just for one race but for everybody.”
While the marade did eventually end at MGM Park, events honoring Dr. King and his legacy won’t be ending any time soon. Gordon Jackson with the MLK Coastwide Celebration Committee said, “What we are also doing is that we are redistributing some of our events to February to observe Black History Month as well.”
Even though today’s events were in honor of Dr. King, Jackson says its the words of former President John F. Kennedy "If not us, who? If not now, when?" that fueled this year’s activities.
For a full list of upcoming events by the MLK Coastwide Celebration Committee, visit MLKcoastwide.com.
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