Carrying banners on a very cold morning, hundreds of marchers carried on an annual tradition through downtown Cincinnati on Monday.They honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a march in single-digit wind chill.The harsh wind came right at them as they walked north on Vine Street.Their collective breath was like steam off the river, demonstrating their shared dedication to King's dream. As they walked, his recorded voice accompanied them.Lynne Friedlander made her way up Vine Street ahead of them, coming from the MLK breakfast at the Underground Railroad Freedom Center."Incredibly inspiring," Friedlander said. "Empowering and just really felt like there's a lot of good people in the city."Grant Bagshaw came across from Northern Kentucky to be a part of the experience."I think it's a really great testament. I regret not wearing a hat," Bagshaw said with a chuckle. "But, yeah, I think it's pretty impressive for how cold and windy it is that everyone would be willing to come out, and I think that's a testament to Dr. Martin Luther King's impact on our lives."Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval was among the hundreds who did not let the elements deter them."The opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of MLK is too important to let some cold weather get in between us," Pureval said. "Particularly given all of the challenges that we're facing in this country and around the world."Pureval said he doesn't think there's been a more important time than right now to recall and prioritize King's legacy."Every year, it's impressive. Every year, it feels like it gets colder than the previous year. But no matter, Cincinnatians come out," Pureval said.Once inside Music Hall, emcee Courtis Fuller asked young people to stand and be applauded, emphasizing how it's always America's youth who carry the torch forward.Fuller reminded those in attendance that King was 26 when he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott and 34 when he led the March on Washington.Cincinnati fire Chief Frank McKinley marched to Music Hall and said, "It just kind of resonates with me when you think about all the sacrifices that our predecessors had to make for us to be here and have the rights and privileges that we have."The Children's Choir and the MLK Chorale gave voice to the theme of the gathering.It was based on King's final book, "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?"He wrote, "Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice."Bishop Ennis Tait, civil rights lawyer Rickell Howard Smith, and retired Judge Fanon Rucker spoke about the aspects of that theme."It's not just this day," said Herschel Daniels, Jr. of the MLK Coalition. "But now, from this day forward, how do we create community from chaos?"Organizers are already thinking about next year's march, which will be a milestone 50th in Cincinnati.As they gathered in Washington Park in heavy winter clothing and equally heavy intent, they spoke of how more in-the-street activism would play a larger role and how some 60 years after King's "I Have A Dream" speech, many of the same issues remain unresolved, and many of the same questions are still unanswered.The mayor rsaid he was heartened to see so many community, religious, and government leaders participating today and recognizing the unfinished work that needs their attention.
Carrying banners on a very cold morning, hundreds of marchers carried on an annual tradition through downtown Cincinnati on Monday.
They honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a march in single-digit wind chill.
The harsh wind came right at them as they walked north on Vine Street.
Their collective breath was like steam off the river, demonstrating their shared dedication to King's dream. As they walked, his recorded voice accompanied them.
Lynne Friedlander made her way up Vine Street ahead of them, coming from the MLK breakfast at the Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
"Incredibly inspiring," Friedlander said. "Empowering and just really felt like there's a lot of good people in the city."
Grant Bagshaw came across from Northern Kentucky to be a part of the experience.
"I think it's a really great testament. I regret not wearing a hat," Bagshaw said with a chuckle. "But, yeah, I think it's pretty impressive for how cold and windy it is that everyone would be willing to come out, and I think that's a testament to Dr. Martin Luther King's impact on our lives."
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval was among the hundreds who did not let the elements deter them.
"The opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of MLK is too important to let some cold weather get in between us," Pureval said. "Particularly given all of the challenges that we're facing in this country and around the world."
Pureval said he doesn't think there's been a more important time than right now to recall and prioritize King's legacy.
"Every year, it's impressive. Every year, it feels like it gets colder than the previous year. But no matter, Cincinnatians come out," Pureval said.
Once inside Music Hall, emcee Courtis Fuller asked young people to stand and be applauded, emphasizing how it's always America's youth who carry the torch forward.
Fuller reminded those in attendance that King was 26 when he led the Montgomery Bus Boycott and 34 when he led the March on Washington.
Cincinnati fire Chief Frank McKinley marched to Music Hall and said, "It just kind of resonates with me when you think about all the sacrifices that our predecessors had to make for us to be here and have the rights and privileges that we have."
The Children's Choir and the MLK Chorale gave voice to the theme of the gathering.
It was based on King's final book, "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?"
He wrote, "Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice."
Bishop Ennis Tait, civil rights lawyer Rickell Howard Smith, and retired Judge Fanon Rucker spoke about the aspects of that theme.
"It's not just this day," said Herschel Daniels, Jr. of the MLK Coalition. "But now, from this day forward, how do we create community from chaos?"
Organizers are already thinking about next year's march, which will be a milestone 50th in Cincinnati.
As they gathered in Washington Park in heavy winter clothing and equally heavy intent, they spoke of how more in-the-street activism would play a larger role and how some 60 years after King's "I Have A Dream" speech, many of the same issues remain unresolved, and many of the same questions are still unanswered.
The mayor rsaid he was heartened to see so many community, religious, and government leaders participating today and recognizing the unfinished work that needs their attention.
"freedom" - Google News
January 16, 2024 at 06:24AM
https://ift.tt/ETCcwVS
Hundreds carry on tradition with MLK Day Freedom March through Cincinnati - WLWT Cincinnati
"freedom" - Google News
https://ift.tt/5ZDFlbU
https://ift.tt/P1GOR8J
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Hundreds carry on tradition with MLK Day Freedom March through Cincinnati - WLWT Cincinnati"
Post a Comment