Citing safety concerns because of the pandemic, the city’s MLK Commission asked residents to stay away this year from the traditional route for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. March.
The commission recommended that the thousands of marchers who honor the civil rights leader every year instead celebrate it through a virtual event titled “Dream: Rising Up for Justice” by filmmaker Ya’Ke Smith.
But that wasn’t an option for a small number of faithful marchers.
On Monday morning, more than 60 people wearing masks took part in the “People’s March for Freedom.” They drove in vehicles and walked along the 2.75-mile route to mark King’s holiday.
In years past, the San Antonio MLK march has been recognized as one of the largest in the country. More than 100,000 people have attended each of the past marches.
Monday’s impromptu event was small but strong as the procession wound its way along the East Side. Participants took off from the Davis-Scott YMCA parking lot near Pittman-Sullivan Park, blaring horns, flashing lights and chanting slogans.
Organizer Kathleen Carter-Stiggers said that even though the march was canceled, she and others still wanted to recognize the legacy of the civil rights leader and the Rev. Dr. R.A. Callies Sr., who started the marches.
“We didn’t want to break the gap of having the largest march in the nation,” she said. “Dr. King marched and was attacked by dogs and went to jail. So COVID-19 is nothing compared to what he went through. There is no reason that we can’t go through something to keep his dream alive.”
Along with a police escort, the procession flowed from New Braunfels Avenue onto MLK Drive, past the home of George V. Bernal, known for displaying a framed portrait of King on his front porch and playing inspirational hymns to the teeming crowd.
His home has been a fixture on the route since 1998.
Reflecting on King’s legacy, Bernal, 73, said eradicating hatred in the world is what is important today and every day.
“It’s been a challenge,” he said as the small march passed his home. “Hopefully, the hate will diminish at all levels.”
The group picked up folks along the way such as Kathy Clark, 62, and her 10 sisters. Clark said they grabbed their protective masks and face shields to join the marchers.
District 2 City Council candidate Dori L. Brown and several youths walked along the sidewalk with an original banner from the 1987 MLK march.
“We just followed our hearts,” Brown said.
The procession flowed past churches and homes where people usually greeted the crowds with applause and songs. Monday, many of those sites were silent.
But not Jackline Nobles’ home.
Nobles and her family sat in their front yard, behind tables laden with food, as they have for the past 31 years. The only difference was they were wearing protective masks as they waved at the small procession.
In years past, the crowd usually heard from family member Joseph Clay, who greeted them loudly on his microphone.
“The march still goes on,” he said. “We know it’s a virus, but we’re going to keep on going.”
Nobles, 76, said she was disappointed when she heard that the parade was canceled because of concerns about the coronavirus.
“To me, if you’re going to get it, you’re going to get it,” she said. “If you’re not meant to get it, you’re not going to get it.”
Bernard Traphan, 53, who drove to the route from the West Side, said he felt the need to commemorate the holiday with others.
“Part of the message is fellowship,” Traphan said.
The procession ended where the MLK March traditionally starts, near the Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, across from where Rosa L. Wilson, pastor of the Greater Faith Institutional Church, officiated a noon service in King’s honor.
A volunteer checked the temperatures of people who attended the event. Blue folding chairs were set feet apart to comply with city pandemic protocols.
Wilson, 65, said she’s been the leader of the pre-march worship service for the past 24 years. The pastor said participants wanted to comply with safety protocols but that as disciples of King’s vision, they knew they had to continue the celebration.
“This is in my blood,” she said. “This is real and necessary.”
Police Chief William McManus stopped by the service and spoke to the crowd of more than 80 people. He said he understood concerns about physical safety but reassured them that police hadn’t been made aware of any threats.
“The MLK March is something I’ve done for years,” McManus said. “And I wasn’t going to let today be any different.”
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January 19, 2021 at 05:30AM
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Residents along the closed MLK March route still celebrate civil rights leader’s dream during pandemic - San Antonio Express-News
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