By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Stroll and Parade returns to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 18, marking its twentieth 12 months. In 2025, the occasion can be held along side the sixth Annual MLK Vacation D.C. Well being and Wellness Honest. Each occasions, slated for Saturday, Jan. 18, can be held indoors this 12 months on the Leisure and Sports activities Area, situated at 1100 Oak Dr. in Southeast D.C. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Doorways open to the general public at 10:30 a.m.
The signature occasion traces its roots to 1979 when a parade was held below the route of three distinguished civic leaders in D.C. – United Black Fund co-founder, Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, his spouse, Councilmember Wilhelmina J. Rolark and group activist and radio persona, Ralph “Petey” Greene.
Stuart Anderson and Denise Rolark Barnes, co-chairs for the Jan. 18 occasions, stated this 12 months’s theme, “Decide to the Noble Wrestle for Equal Rights,” is becoming contemplating the upcoming return of former president Donald Trump to the White Home.
“Whereas a lot has modified since we began holding the Peace Stroll and Parade 20 years in the past, Blacks stay in a steady battle for civil rights, well being rights – equal rights,” Barnes stated. “The necessity to proceed the combat was amplified over the past presidential election and will function a reminder to us all that we should keep targeted and keep in mind, because the saying goes, ‘till all of us are free, none of us are free.’”
With Congress just lately certifying the outcomes of the 2024 presidential election on Monday, Jan. 6 – this time with out the drama and violence which marred the usually peaceable occasion in 2020 – Anderson stated Dr. King’s phrases of knowledge will be relied upon as we face the uncertainty of the brand new administration.
“As we make last preparations for this 12 months’s annual King peace stroll and parade and well being and wellness truthful, which have a number of modifications together with transferring to an indoor venue and a change within the conventional date due to the presidential inauguration (Jan. 20), we hope our efforts will illustrate the significance of conserving Dr. King’s legacy alive for generations each born and unborn,” Anderson stated. “Whereas Dr. King stays some of the necessary figures within the Civil Rights Motion, there are some kids who don’t even know what he lived and died for. Even numerous older African Individuals are unaware of the successes that have been achieved within the battle for equal rights each earlier than and after Dr. King’s demise together with the passage of the Civil Rights Act and different laws that secured issues like equal rights in housing.”
Barnes agrees – the combat for equal rights continues.
“We’ve achieved rather a lot when it comes to the legal guidelines of the land however in actuality, the battle shouldn’t be over,” Barnes stated. “Far too many Blacks have grown complacent which has allowed those that oppose equality for all to regain energy and to push America backwards. Like Dr. King, we should hold our eyes on the prize and stay on guard for any efforts or plans that may hinder progress.”
Anderson, echoing the ideas of his co-chair, shared his favourite King citation.
“Dr. King as soon as stated, ‘silence is betrayal,’ and I’m a agency believer that every one Individuals, Blacks particularly, should communicate out on the adverse issues which are occurring inside our group and on this planet,” Anderson stated. “That’s what Dr. King would do.”
The MLK Peace Stroll and Parade and Well being and Wellness Honest, which may even embody parade performances with a reviewing stage, free groceries and native merchandise and a pupil essay competitors awards ceremony honoring youth leaders, are free to the general public however require registration. For extra info, go to www.mlkholidaydc.org.
