The nineteenth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration featured stories concerning Dr. King’s life as well as the impact he made on their lives.
An hour before the celebration began, there was free breakfast. Everyone was given a raffle ticket, for which they would be able to win a door prize during the event.
The celebration started with the pledge of allegiance, in both English and Spanish. Next, there was singing of the Star-Spangled Banner by the audience. An opening prayer and welcome, then city officials greeted the audience.
City of Grants Mayor Erik Garcia shared the story behind jersey number 42. Garcia said he always chooses that number for his son, whether he is in baseball or basketball. Garcia said Jackie Robinson, number 42, was a strong baseball player who broke barriers, often facing racism and segregation.
“They were two men fighting different battles, but for the same goal equality. Jackie with breaking down barriers in sports while Dr. King was leading marches, delivering powerful speeches, changing laws. They were both on their own mission fighting for what was right,” said Mayor Garcia.
Village of Milan Mayor Felix Gonzales spoke about the famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which was delivered on the 28th of August, 1963. It was a call for equality in our nation. A dream that one day Dr. King’s children and others would not be judged by the color of their skin, but rather, by their character. Being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, as well as being a pastor of a Baptist Church, Dr. King became a Civil Rights Activist, determined to make this nation stand true to equality.
Les Gaines, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and the New Mexico Mining Museum, recalled the assassinations of JFK, Dr. King, and Robert Kennedy which happened when he was young and seemed like a normal pattern of behavior. He recalled a lesson his mother had taught his father, about racism and why one should not be racist. This lesson not only had a positive impact on his life, but also his father’s.
“I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” is one of Dr. King’s speeches, which almost didn’t happen. He planned to speak one day but was too ill and sent someone to tell the crowd he wouldn’t be going. The crowd did not react as Dr. King had expected, instead, the man he sent returned saying he must go and so he went. He felt ill, was no longer prepared, but still, he spoke to the people and gave this speech. In this speech, Dr. King called for unity, economic actions, and nonviolent protests.
One speaker informed the audience of the connection between the biblical story of Moses and African Americans. They wanted freedom and the justice they deserved.
Another speaker, a beneficiary of the Civil Rights Movement, told his story.
Another speaker reminded the audience of God’s commandments, which is to love one another. He went on to explain that if we love God, but not each other, then we do not truly love God.
Several children participated, showing and reading their essays, poems, or facts about Dr. King.
The celebration closed with the singing of “We Shall Overcome”.