Community invited to honor the legacy of Dr. MLK Jr. with a marches, celebrations Jan. 16
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The community is invited to Martin Luther King Jr. Day marches and celebrations in Fort Myers and Naples.
The Dunbar Festival Committee is partnering with the Joe North Law Firm to host a march and celebration to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 16. in Fort Myers.
“The committee decided to do a commemorative march making our event historically focused,” said Martin Byrd, president of the Dunbar Festival Committee. “We’ll start off in front of Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon Public Library on Blount Street and the proceed down MLK (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) into Centennial Amphitheater Park. The DJ will play a few of Dr. King’s speeches, there will be food vendors. So it's generally an educational and entertaining focused event.”
A few of the food vendors making an appearance include The Really Awesome Food Truck (RAFT) serving up wings, sandwiches and deep fried egg rolls, JP’s Hot Fish serving up fish and chips and to curb that sweet tooth Candy Apples and More serving up an assortment of flavors including bubble gum candy apples.
The march is slated to start at 10 a.m and attendees are encouraged to arrive early.
The Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon Public Library is located at 3095 Blount Street.
Following the march the festivities will continue at Centennial Amphitheater Park located in Fort Myers at 2000 W. First Street from 11am until 6pm. The event is free and open to the public.
Byrd said it’s important to carry on Dr. King’s legacy.
“If we don't (continue to) discuss him people will forget,’ said 30-year-old-Byrd. “As far as we’ve come, we still find ourselves still divided. So opportunities like this make us aware that even if we live in a certain neighborhood we can take this time to cross those barriers and hopefully look at ways to progress.”
Todd Thomas, member of the Dunbar Festival Committee, said it’s important to remember those that came before us.
“I think it’s important to remember the people that struggled to have the rights, resources and privileges that we have today,” said Thomas. “Plus it gives us a time to reflect on what we're losing, how to get refocused and get back into the struggle, so to speak.”
The Dunbar Festival Committee is a nonprofit dedicated to serving as a catalyst for change, focused on community events in greater Fort Myers. The goal is to promote education and diversity while empowering the community in order to build a stronger community.
The Dunbar Festival Committee is a nonprofit dedicated to serving as a catalyst for change, focused on community events in Greater Fort Myers. The goal is to promote education and diversity while empowering in order to build a stronger community.
For more information send an email to dunbarfestivalcommittee@gmail.com
NAACP Collier County plans march and celebration in Naples
The NAACP Collier County is hosting a march on January 16 in Naples. The parade starts at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Third and Broad Street. Attendees will be asked to line up at 9:30 am.
After the march the festivities will commence at Cambier Park located in Naples at 755 8th Ave from noon until 3pm. The event is free and open to the public.
“This is our 26th year,” said Diann Keeys, NAACP Collier County parade chair. “We usually have about 3,000 or so people that attend the march and celebration. It’s important to honor Dr. King because of what he stood for, unity and solidarity. This is an opportunity to get together and remember him. It’s important that we don't let his philosophy die.”
For more information call 239-455-2886.
Erica Van Buren is the underserved communities reporter for The News-Press and Naples Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on Twitter: @EricaVanBuren32
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: SWFL community invited to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King
