CRESTVIEW — A local march and celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began Jan. 19 on the avenue that bears his name in Crestview.
Participants of various ages, accompanied by a drummer, sang spirituals as they made their way to the Okaloosa courthouse on Main Street.
The Rev. Clay Williams, of Greater Union Baptist Church in Century, opened the celebration near the Veterans Memorial wall. The event soon moved to the gazebo due to intermittent rain and strong gusts of wind.
Participants said the Pledge of Allegiance, then Natalie Grisby led them in singing the national anthem.
Master of Ceremony David Wheeler introduced Crestview Mayor David Cadle. Cadle said King believed "humble citizens, united in faith, can come together to save the world." He quoted King's words, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and that a true neighbor will risk his position, his prestige and even his life for the welfare of others."
Wheeler said King was "a man who sometimes doubted the path that he chose, but he was influenced like all of us … When you start dealing with oppressed people and give them some kind of light, you better watch out because the light will then be on you," Wheeler said. "You must be able to stand up and face it," even when it's actually easier to sit down and do nothing.
Parade participants and attendees also included city council members Shannon Hayes and J.B. Whitten.
Tanisha Hines introduced the program's guest speaker, Vivica Aaron, who she described as her sister in Christ and friend for over 15 years.
Aaron gave a history of Dr. King's life, using a timeline she received when she visited The King Center in Atlanta. It detailed his life, including the fact that he was stabbed in 1959 while autographing one of his books in Harlem, New York. In 1964 he was named Time Magazine's Man of the Year, and won the Nobel Peace Prize. He was fatally shot in Memphis April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tenn.
With scriptures such as Isaiah 41:10, and "putting on the whole armor of God," Aaron encouraged attendees to face adversity with faith and courage, taking a stand about things that matter, things like racism.
"Yes it is still happening," Aaron said. "Let's take a stand. Domestic violence — take a stand." She also encouraged taking a stand against child abuse, physical and sexual. "Human trafficking, bullying, elder abuse, animal abuse, anything immoral or unethical — take a stand," she said.
She and Wheeler encouraged those present to educate themselves further on King's life and works.
The Crestview Concerned Citizens group, a civic organization which coordinated the event, thanked everyone who helped bring the celebration about, including the JRL Conyers Masonic Lodge No. 364 of Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview march, celebration honor Dr. King's legacy