Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, Jacksonville Florida

In 1971 Martin Luther King Jr. had a day named after him, and by 1986, January 19th became a Federal Holiday in the United States of America.


It is important to recognize figures such as MLK, because he stood for justice and equality. He fought many battles to bring peace to all people. Sadly, he was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. 

My favorite part of MLK's famous speech from August 28, 1963  reads:

"...I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal. I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia that sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today..."


So, with today being January 19 and honoring Mister King Jr. the city of Jacksonville, Florida had a beautiful parade downtown. I had the opportunity to go and see all different kinds of people. Each group represented some form of company or stance. There were high schools who did step dancing and the marching band, the military was there, and tons of people running for office as well as the Mayor himself. 



I was accompanied by my friends at Compassionate Families who allowed me to join them this morning. I noticed multiple people including the father of Jordan Davis, greeting Carl [Carl is the website designer as well a wonderful Victims Advocate at Compassionate Families]. This photo below is the car that was representing Jordan Davis. His father Ron Davis is waving towards us!


So many different people who are survivors of homicide recognized and took the time to wave at Carl. I know that made him feel good, because it made me feel good. There were people walking in this parade that held signs saying, "Stand up for Justice, Stop the Violence, Stop protecting murderers, anger is one letter short of danger" and so many more. It was moving. 


Take a moment today to reflect on the life you are able to live. People like Martin Luther King Jr. died trying to give us freedom and equality. Whether you do it silently or aloud, be thankful to hearts and lives like him, and as always, stop the violence. 

-ssr





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