'His legacy continues to live on:' Victorville celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day with peace march

The wind and cold didn’t hinder attendance at the 15th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Peace March & Ceremony on Monday near Victorville City Hall.

After overnight and early morning rain, most of the clouds cleared before the march began at 10 a.m. at the corner of Seneca Road and Civic Drive. Residents carried banners, flags and signs while marching down Civic Drive, past City Hall and toward the Civil Rights Memorial.

One sign included a quote by Dr. King who said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Other signs read "Equality," "Justice Brings Peace" and "Stop the Violence."

"A little cold, but still a wonderful day to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," said semi-retired school district employee Carl Willis, as he prepared to march. "He did so much to help provide us with equity and to uphold our civil rights. His legacy continues to live on."

The ceremony

At the memorial, words of inspiration were spoken by Victorville Mayor Debra Jones, A Better Way Executive Director Regina Weatherspoon Bell and members of High Desert Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, who hosted the event.

Prayers were spoken by Pastor Landen Crouch of High Desert Church in Victorville and Pastor Johnny Lewis of Grace Christian Community Church of God in Hesperia. Songs were led by HDAC Treasurer Eloise Gibson, Reverend Rosie Haynes, and LaMarche Mosley.

Riverside Preparatory School's California Cadet Corps 380th Battalion, directed by Lt. Col. Kenneth Cook-Askins, presented the colors. Several members of the Victorville Fire Department also attended the event.

Plaque unveiled

Student Natalia Jackson, the winner of the city’s Annual Civil Rights Memorial Essay Contest, also read her winning entry about author, poet, and activist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. A sixth grader at Irwin Academy School of Performing Arts in the Victor Elementary School District, Jackson was present when dignitaries unveiled a bronze plaque honoring Harper.

VESD Superintendent Lori Clark, who also spoke at the ceremony, shared early that the district is very proud of Natalia for choosing to honor Frances Harper.

The late Harper is best known for championing change for women’s rights, especially for Black women.

A portion of Jackson’s winning essay is displayed on a plaque at the memorial, which includes eight other plaques along with essays from VESD students. The additional plaques recognize civil rights activists Dr. King, Asa Philip Randolph, Frederick Douglass, Cesar Chavez, Harriet Tubman, Lucy Burns, Jackie Robinson and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

A full-length version of Natalia’s essay can be viewed on the city's website, VictorvilleCA.gov/civilrightsmemorial.

City officials said that the memorial was created to “honor and remember” the sacrifices and triumphs of America’s civil rights leaders.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victorville celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day with peace march