Marchers black and white, young and old and in-between sang “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine” as they traveled on Green Avenue Monday for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Pastor Nikki Weaver with the St. Paul CME Church gave the main address. She said Dr. King’s fight should be carried on today against “the on-going brutality against young black people simply because of the color of their skin.”
She added that people should “not forget the injustices” against people of other cultures, ethnicities and religions.” Dr. King’s immortal “I Have a Dream” speech included the words “now is the time.” She repeated the phrase and said “Now is the time for us to unite together to fulfill the dream” for all children to have opportunity based on their character.
The group also paid tribute to Orange City Councilwoman Essie Bellfield, who is now 83 years of age. Bellfield worked for voting rights and against segregation. She was also Orange’s first black mayor.
The tribute march this year went to what is now Orange City Hall instead of the Orange County Courthouse because of the building problems with the front courthouse steps.
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