Dr. King Events Held in Longview

LONGVIEW — About a hundred people united in force, pounding the pavement of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to celebrate the civil rights leader’s birthday. The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day march down the street that bears his name brought into fruition the Baptist minister’s dream, as black, white and Hispanic people walked through South Longview. Sponsored by the Longview Area Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the event began at Broughton Recreation Center and proceeded north five blocks to Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where a memorial service was held.

“We come to this citywide celebration to celebrate the life and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” the Rev. D.J. Nelson said.

The event, as Nelson described it, brings together individuals under the umbrella of an effort “to maintain the unity that we have discovered,” as well as to find new efforts to stand behind it, united. He encouraged those in attendance to stand together as a united force to improve the city, state, nation and world.