SF Bay Area communities march in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, communities across the Bay Area are celebrating the life of the civil rights leader. If he were still living, Dr. King would have been 95.
Monday's MLK Day March and Parade in San Francisco held special meaning for all involved.
From the air, it was a sight to behold. As thousands marched across the Lefty O'Doul Bridge in San Francisco.
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The crossing is part of a symbolic route in Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Day march, as those gathered reflect on Bloody Sunday in March of 1965. Supporters of Dr. King were beaten by police as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, at the beginning of a fifty four mile trek to Montgomery.
Jacquelyne Carter says she's marched for twenty five years and reflected on the importance of the day.
"For me it is a blessing to be able to walk in unity with all the people of all races because it's MLK's dream and I am here."
While the civil rights marches in Alabama helped earn Black Americans voting rights, those in attendance on this Monday say the key to harmony is first through education. Many passing out fliers and holding up signs.
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Many of them held signs and passed out flyers making their voices heard on this day of unity and solidarity.
Reggie Johnson of Glide Memorial Church calls the turnout of an estimated five thousand people, overwhelming. "Its great seeing so many generations of people here especially young people to get them to understand you know your history and you can move forward in the future."
The message of unity and solidarity were on full display. Linda Ye from San Francisco is participating for the very first time and wore a shirt to support United Playaz.
"I come here and see so munch community and joy and there is a lot of love in that." She smiles.
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Dr. Gina Fromer of Glide Memorial says "It's an opportunity to show that we are a coalition of many organizations, doing all kinds of work coming together in the serve of justice and love. We're still trying to fight the good fight everyday."
The march continued through Mission Bay and culminated with song, dance and celebration at Yerba Buena Gardens.
These grounds, home of our country's third largest memorial to the late Dr. King. Whose message of standing up against hate rings true, even for the littlest.
"We came out here to show the politicians and everyone and it's not okay and it needs to be fixed." Said a young boy whose first name is Malachi.
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Elected land community leaders also took to the stage, and reflected upon years past while encouraging us to move forward.
"We celebrate together people of different races and different backgrounds and those who spoke English and those who did not every step of the way it was joy."
The march and parade is organized by the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation.
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