The streets of Sacramento came alive Monday as thousands gathered to participate in the 42nd annual March for the Dream. The march, held annually in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., brought out a diverse crowd that aimed not only to remember his profound impact on American history but also to celebrate his legacy and the values he championed.
The march launched in the historic Oak Park with the “extra mile” – the inaugural segment where community leaders embark on their journey. At 7 a.m., a gathering of community leaders, elected officials and old time civil rights warriors began assembling at the Oak Park Community Center. About 1,000 dedicated marchers connected with the main march at Sacramento City College.
As the two marches met, nearly 4,000 thousand individuals across race, gender, ethnicity and age united, motivated by their dedication to Dr. King’s principles of unity and keeping his legacy alive.
“Dr. King’s legacy is about impacting the future,” said Sam Starks, organizer of the March and the founder of the nonprofit MLK365. “You honor Dr. King by putting his ideas and values into practice and changing the world around you.”
MLK March 2024 – Live Stream
The MLK365 March begins with the Extra Mile, an optional first leg for community leaders, and officially begins in the Sacramento City College parking lot.
CLICK HERE TO WATCHWhen Starks took over the march 20 years ago, his goal was to not just celebrate Dr. King on one day, but to make sure King’s impact is felt year-round. His nonprofit strives to embody King’s dream every day through community engagement and offering resources in education, employment and health services.
“Something happens every day of the week that signifies what Dr. Martin Luther King stood for,” said Aliane Murphy-Hasan, one of the march’s organizers in its early years.
What Dr. King worked for was apparent in the level of dedication displayed in the array of local organizations, performances, and creative banners and signs that served as a symbol of unity and resilience.
There was a concerted effort to involve the younger generation in the march. Several groups brought forth a vibrant crowd of youth, eager to learn about Dr. King’s legacy and the pivotal role he played in shaping history.
Among the teaching mechanisms was the playing of Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday.” Commonly sung within the Black community, the song was specifically written and composed by the artist as part of the push for a national holiday celebrating Dr. King’s birthday. The deliberate focus on educating the youth emphasized the importance of passing on the torch of knowledge, ensuring that the principles and values championed by Dr. King will continue to inspire future generations.
Clad in bright purple, the Panthers – Rex and Margaret Fortune School High School’s marching band – pumped up the crowd, performing exuberantly along the entire four miles.
“On the 95th birthday of Dr. King we must see him as a martyr,” Starks told the crowd. “We have to do the things Dr. King left for us to do, to stand up and fight and fill up the gaps in our nation” when it comes to peace, freedom and equality.
Multiple causes were represented, from Black Lives Matter to signs declaring “Stop Domestic Violence” and “Cut The Check – No reparations No Vote.” Pro-Palestinian groups came out in force, reminding attendees of the ongoing war in the Middle East and that Dr. King’s fight for justice and equality is a global endeavor.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who has been a longtime supporter of the march, Councilmember and Vice Mayor Caity Maple, Councilmember Eric Guerra, Police Chief Kathy Lester, Brother Kevin Carter of the Poor Peoples’ Campaign and activist Stevante Clarke all spoke at the march.
“I see Sacramento awake every day of the year,” Mayor Steinberg said. “It is a community that is always fighting for what’s right, always fighting for justice, always fighting to better the human condition.”
Ardell Harrison, acting director of the Sacramento NAACP, lobbied hard for the troubled local chapter, calling for new members and telling attendees that when it comes to fighting racism and injustice on the ground, the NAACP is still on the front lines.
Speakers echoed the importance of doing the daily work in their respective positions and keeping the development of Sacramento communities front and center. And throughout the march, the late Dr. King’s transformative words played over a loudspeaker: “We refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt … it is time to cash the check.”