Memorial march

CLOVIS — The walking was one of the things that 8-year-old Olivia Romero looked forward to as a first-time participant in the Clovis Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Symbolic Walk and Rally.

But she said it was important she participate for another reason.

"He wanted the black people and the white people to not fight," Romero said.

The theme of unity and peace carried on for speakers and participants during the 25th annual walk, which began at Potter Park and ended at Legacy Life Church in Clovis Monday morning.

St. John Missionary Baptist Church Pastor B.J. Choice was the featured speaker at the rally.

"The young people were leading the march - so many young people here. I'm glad to see you all here," said Choice. "I surveyed the crowd as we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King. Certainly we can't do it without having everybody involved, all races and all faiths."

Choice read the poem "Let America Be America Again" by poet Langston Hughes.

"Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death, the rape and roft of graft, and stealth and lies, we the people must redeem the land, the mines, the plants, the rivers, the mountains and the endless plain," said Choice, quoting Hughes. "All, all the stretch of these great green states, and make America again."

Mayor David Lansford said while King is celebrated as a great leader, he was also "the best follower" of liberty, justice and love.

"The challenge to me is not can we be a good leader but a follower of the principles that led to a peaceful and productive life," said Lansford.

Originally expecting around 300 people, MLK Commission President Joyce Pollard said the attendance was below expectations with maybe 100 participating due to the chilly weather.

Nevertheless, the feeling of celebration was there all the same.

"What we do have, it shows their dedication," said Pollard. "People are excited about today."

Susan Alman, assistant program director for the Retired Senior Volunteer and Foster Grandparent programs, attended the walk for her second year.

"It's an important event for our county," said Alman. "We come together to support one way of thinking, one great man who had the courage to speak up. He didn't speak up just for black people. He spoke up for all of us."

Resident Anjelica Vega returned to participate after a two-year absence.

"I enjoy this. It's nice that everybody comes together," said Vega. "He (King) was a good citizen and a good example for us. We're all one people. God created all of us. He (King) had one dream."

With the exception of one or two years, Clovis resident Diane Smith participated since the walk first started.

"I come because it represents not only what Martin Luther King did for black people but for all people," Smith said. "It's rewarding. That's what the symbolic march symbolizes. We've accomplished something."

Clovis resident Wendell Green said he attended the walk to encourage the youth to participate celebrating King's dream.

"A lot of the young African-Americans are starting to lose sight of what Martin Luther King was trying to do. If you lose sight, it's gonna be gone." said Green. "Like Martin Luther King said, it's a day on, not a day off."