“I have a dream” are words from one of the most famous speeches given that has endured so that fifty years later the meaning behind them still impacts and motivates people
An estimated 28,000 people gathered together on Jan. 21 to remember Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy, marching from various points in the city to meet at the Sacramento Convention Center, according to KCRA 3.
“It means progress,” said Kelly Thurman, 53, one of the morning’s marchers. “It means being in the midst of a struggle. It means the opportunity to go forward.”
Thurman was among the vast crowd that gathered at the convention center and listened as many of King’s speeches including the famous “I Have a Dream” speech were played from a small boom box tied to a bike.
As the recorded speech neared the end people began to recite along as one man bowed his head and raised his hand to the sky as the speech reached its crescendo and came to an end to cheers from many.
The speeches, signs and the general atmosphere set the mood as people of all genders, races and ages gathered to celebrate the legacy of the Reverend King.
There was more than the legacy of King to be focused on though. For the first time the walk, which has occurred for the past 31 years, gave peo
ple the opportunity to register and collect pledges.
MLK365’s mission is to advance the principles of building strong and healthy communities 365 days a year, according to their official website.
Inside booths of various sponsors and other groups were set up. McDonalds, SMUD, the Sacramento Police Department and Wells Fargo were just a few of sponsors represented.
It was not all booths and marches, as inside the convention center various forms of entertainment were included for those that came out to support the cause.
12-year-old Mariah Starks, one of the people that manned the information table and helped sell event t-shirts, said the entire event was very “exciting.”
“[It’s about] celebrating Martin Luther King’s life and what he did,” Starks said. “It makes you want to do more.”
Starks was not alone in this sentiment.
“I feel that it’s very exciting and inspirational,” said 17-year-old Asu Denson as she helped Starks and others man the tables.
As the crowds began to dwindle, Thurman and others stood around outside as the words of the Reverend King continued to blast from the small boombox on the bicycle.
Thurman felt that while there was progress being made there “is a lot more to go” in regards to the words that King shared in his famous speech.
“There are always pockets of society that hasn’t reached that level of progress,” said Thurman.