More than 450 members of the Lane County community braved the rain and cold to participate in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day march honoring the late civil rights leader.
A solemn but celebratory air dominated the march, which was sponsored by the Eugene-Springfield chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Marchers carried homemade signs — some featuring clear political messages, such as one that read “Measure 30: What would Martin Luther King do?” — while singing and chanting.
The event began at the Serbu Juvenile Justice Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and culminated at the Eugene Water & Electric Board Center with a short program that featured a keynote speech by Pastor Carl Stubbs Jr. from Powerhouse Ministries, as well as student poetry. Local NAACP Chapter President Marilyn Mays introduced the program, saying, “It was truly a blessing for me to walk down his street on this day.”
Dr. Edwin Coleman, a retired University English professor, has participated in civil-rights marches for 25 years.
“We continue to do these marches to remind people that our lives are dependent on how we treat one another as human beings and as citizens,” Coleman said.
Northwest Christian College senior KyriAnne Watkins shared similar sentiments.
“I really want to express that all people are equal, and not just in racial issues … (but) in every aspect of life,” Watkins said.
Henry Lavert, vice president of the local NAACP chapter, spoke optimistically about the future, but added that there is still more to be done to create a more racially equal society.
“We can see progress in … the future generations where we can see the possibilities for a much more positive community,” he said. This march “is just to let people remember what Martin Luther King Day is about and not let people get too comfortable in the way things are and look to make change for the better,” he said.
Lane County Commissioner and NAACP board member Bobby Green Sr. said there are social changes that need to occur.
“People need to listen more — listen to each other — so that people will feel heard and won’t be so quick to judge people,” he said.