Fresno leaders honor Martin Luther King Jr

Monday morning, the Jackson-Madison County and Lane College chapters of the NAACP celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Augusta believe that their street could be a better reflection of the iconic civil rights leader.

“I want the people to think that they can learn anything if they just be like Dr. Martin Luther King and never judge people by the color of their skin”, said Vanessa Helligas.

Following the celebration, city officials kicked off a parade that stretched about a mile and a half, and ended at King’s monument. “For me and my generation, there’s not much segregation like there was before and that’s all because of Dr. King and his message and the march to Washington”, says Valarie Miles.

Szakos said sometimes he would even read her bedtime stories when he stayed at their house, so she got to see both King the legend and the man.

“I look forward to being here next year so the next speaker will be able to say in their state of the dream address, that the dream is not in disrepair”.

Bangor resident Mary Hunter grew up in the south during the Civil Rights Movement. “And yes, black lives matter, our children matter”.

Hillary Clinton was the only candidate Monday to discuss at length the Confederate flag that was removed from the capitol grounds last summer. “We had to choose”, Clinton said. Another 45 volunteers from Kaiser Permanente also pitched in.

“There’s still work to be done”, said AME teen Andrea Clark.

“Dr. King was a community-minded person, and when you’re involved in your community you can do great things”, said Mark Sain, of the Milwaukee Public School Board.

These children haven’t lived in a world with Dr. King, but their world is very different because of him.

A historical marker sits in Tyson’s yard.

Black, white, brown, young and the old were all there together joined by freedom.