Posted: 9:11 PM Jan 19, 2013
Reporter: Wayne Burns

Locals Gather for MLK Tribute

Hundreds gathered in Dumont Plaza on Saturday morning to pay tribute to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior.

The celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday kicked off with a parade of different churches, businesses, and a community that have all supported the mission behind what Dr. King stood for. Locals expressed how they felt and what the celebration meant to them.

"Dr. King was not a violent person and we needed to do this because our children need to know," MLK Charter member Barbara Griffin Tingle said.

"Because he did so much to make this possible, to make all the changes that have been made since his death, and we are just honored to have the opportunity to be a small part of presenting this," MLK Charter member Margaret Brown said.

Over a thousand people came to show respect and to encourage our youth the importance of what Dr. King stood for, including Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry.

"Martin Luther King brought so much leadership to all of us," Barry said. "And so many words of wisdom about living together under one roof happily, and supporting one another and loving one another. And I think you can see from the crowd that that's what Meridian is all about. "

An MLK march is planned for Sunday at 6 p.m at the intersection of 16th Street and 30th Avenue in Meridian. A memorial service will follow at 7 p.m. at First Union Missionary Baptist Church.

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