Children lead the way during march
Following the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Prayer breakfast at the Benton Convention Center, more than 100 people put on their walking shoes and marched through the streets of downtown Winston-Salem in honor of the civil rights icon.
The march, which was hosted by the Ministers’ Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity (MCWSV), has become a King Day tradition for residents in the city.
And despite blistering cold temperatures, this year’s event was bigger than ever.
While the march usually always draws a large crowd of clergy, elected officials and adults, what turned the tide this year was an overwhelming number of children and teens.
“This is going to be most amazing march yet because we have so many young people joining us. I think it’s going to be awesome,” Bishop Todd Fulton told The Chronicle before the march. “I want to thank everyone who participated this year. I couldn’t ask for more.”
Leading the way during the march, which snaked through the streets of downtown and ended at Union Baptist Church on Trade Street, were the soulful sounds of the Marching Yellowjackets from Carver High School. Behind them were countless signs reading “#StandAgainstHate,” “Black Lives Matter,” and “No More Lying” that could be seen and read from nearly a mile away.
Despite the cold weather, city native Barbara Wilson, who has been participating in the King Day March since its inception, said, “I come for the dream and for the young folk. We have to pass the legacy on one way or another.”
Following the march, participants filed into Union Baptist for the 38th annual Noon Hour Commemoration Service in honor of Dr. King. The keynote speaker was civil rights leader Dr. Gerald L. Durley from Atlanta. Martha Wood and Victor Johnson Jr. were honored during the event.
