Crowd turns out for march

PORTALES - To honor one of the nation's greatest civil rights leaders, roughly 500 students, teachers, city officials and Portales community members marched down the streets of the city Monday evening to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

After marching from the Memorial Building to the Campus Union Building at Eastern New Mexico University, members of the march met in the CUB Ballroom for entertainment and awards.

After a combined performance by the Portales High School and ENMU choirs, Jalen Allen of Portales High received the Dolores Penrod essay contest award and read his winning essay aloud.

Allen talked about the impact of King and other influential civil rights leaders and their commitment to non-violence to fight for their rights.

"Despite being hated upon and victims of violence, each promoted equality through peaceful action and were against any use of violence to attain their rights," Allen said. "This showed that words were more powerful than fists, as fists could attain temporary freedom, but words would make a lasting impact. It did not matter whether a speech or song was used, because diversity is what makes our country bold."

Musical performances from alumni Caleb Howl, Marie Jones and O'Shaun Estrada followed before Portales Cultural Affairs Chairman Oscar Robinson presented the Chairman Award to Joe Perry, Elvia Garcia and Veda Urioste for their work feeding Portales community members during the holidays.

Things wrapped up with awards and thanks from Rey Cross, ENMU campus life director.