Community marches in observance of MLK Jr. Day
On Monday the nation remembered the late, civil rights activist leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and folks across eastern Idaho came out en masse to commemorate King.
Nearly 200 people throughout the community marched from Holt Arena, up Martin Luther King Jr. Way, up toward the Stephens Performing Arts Center where the event was later followed by a ceremony.
Idaho State University Diversity Resource Center coordinator Ram Eddings said this is the first time he orchestrated this event and already suspects this is the largest turnout the event has ever seen.
“The turnout looks great,” Eddings said. “I didn’t expect this many, but of course, it’s just great. I’m happy because I think people are seeing it more and more and they are understanding they have to play a major part if things are going to change.”
President of the ISU NAACP college chapter Nicole Martin said she is shocked to see the wide-array of community members who came out to march alongside the students.
“We have athletes, we have youth, we have young adults, and I just think it’s awesome we can all, from every age, come together and march together,” Martin said.
Both Martin and Eddings said this year is different from the previous years after seeing the nation turn its attention toward the recent police-involved violence that has arisen this past year which drew-up a number of accusations – some involving race-related issues.
“I think we still have a lot of work to do, and some people understand that we haven’t reached that plateau yet,” Eddings said.
“We have had rallies down in the south and across the midwest, some turning violent, and this is a discussion that we’ve been having this year just because we haven’t really seen it in the past,” Martin said.
Among those in the crowd who were marching in support of the cause, were officers with the Pocatello Police Department.
Martins added the observance is in honor of everybody.
“Everyone thinks Martin Luther King Jr. just did things for minorities but I think he did everything for humanity itself, so it makes me happy seeing everyone here coming together and supporting each other.”
