Greater than 300 individuals gathered Sunday to have fun the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., sharing music and poetry and marching collectively on what would have been the civil rights activist’s 94th birthday.
The United We Stroll occasion, held yearly by the West Bloomfield Faculty District, sought to have fun not solely what King had completed throughout his life but in addition, because the sixtieth anniversary of his well-known “I Have A Dream” speech approaches, what nonetheless may be completed to make the world a greater place, organizers stated.
“He gave his speech 60 years in the past, however we have now an obligation to maintain the dream alive at the moment,” stated Jennifer Graham, chairperson of the United We Stroll Committee and a third-grade instructor within the district. “It is extremely necessary that we do not let that message from 60 years die.
“We have now to maintain that dream alive by bringing everybody collectively, simply as we’re proper now. That is what the world ought to be a illustration of, everybody working collectively towards widespread points.”
The theme for the occasion was “I Have a Dream … 1963-2023” to have fun the six a long time since King gave what many contemplate his most well-known speech throughout the March on Washington. The occasion Sunday started with a efficiency from the West Bloomfield Excessive Faculty jazz ensemble, who performed songs chosen to honor King’s life. College students additionally shared poems about what King’s dream meant to them.
Service tasks allowed donors to supply gently used books in addition to canned meals and diapers. Contributors additionally may signal as much as change into bone marrow donors or to color “peace rocks,” which might be used to embellish the West Bloomfield Township Library.
The cornerstone of the occasion was a march, the place college students from the district and group members held indicators and walked collectively. The march usually takes place on the road outdoors the constructing however as a substitute was held within the car parking zone this 12 months for security causes, Graham stated.
The march was not lengthy, however greater than 250 individuals took half within the occasion.
For Kamryn Thach, 9, a fourth grader within the college district, and her mother, Tiffany Thach, it was a transferring expertise wherein to commemorate King.
“I got here as a result of it appeared enjoyable,” Kamryn stated after the stroll. “It was very inspirational.”
Tiffany stated it was necessary to convey her daughter so Kamryn can have a greater understanding of what King completed in his life and the way it may very well be celebrated.
“It was solely a minute piece of the distances he walked, however I feel it is necessary to know the historic piece of this,” Tiffany Thach stated. “It is necessary to have that have and to march like he did in our personal approach.”