A diverse crowd numbering in the thousands marched from the St. James AME Church at 44 Hildebrand St. in Asheville to Pack Square Park to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy on Monday, Jan. 16. Many carried signs expressing love for King and his message of social justice.
Marching in the tradition of the civil rights movement, people of all ages set off on foot and on wheels from St. James AME Church on a bright cold MLK Day morning on Mon., January 18. The Peace March culminated in a rally at Pack Square Park. Several hundred marchers turned out to remember King’s life and legacy, sing, dance and hear remarks from community leaders.
Local leaders reflect on King’s influence and legacy nearly half a century after his assassination on April 4, 1968. Whether or not they were alive during King’s lifetime, all agree that his work and example had a profound impact on American society that continues today. Here’s what they had to say, along with some compelling quotes from King himself.
Oralene Simmons founded Asheville’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast in 1982 for residents of the neighborhood surrounding the Montford Recreation Center. It quickly grew into an Asheville tradition that’s still going strong as Simmons plans this year’s 35th community commemoration of Dr. King’s life and legacy.
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an annual peace march departed from St. James African Methodist Episocopal church around noon. The procession met others honoring King at a rally in City-County Plaza, complete with music and speeches from community leaders.
