by Scott Albright
Daily Lobo
About 500 people gathered Sunday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day to march down the street that bears
his name.
Van Sanders, president of the Buffalo Soldiers Society of New Mexico, said King's vision should be kept alive.
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"All groups have to be a part of the dream," Sanders said.
Sanders said King helped the U.S. overcome racism and organized multicultural events.
King would have been 78 on Monday.
Mayor Martin Chávez led the parade down Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Civic Plaza.
There were speeches and performances after the parade.
State Treasurer James Lewis and Lt. Gov. Diane Denish attended the event. Many groups participated, including the Isshinryu Club, the Pharaohs Scooter Club, the New Mexico Stars dance team, the Albuquerque Police Department and members of the Masonic Lodge.
Some of the participants held signs and posters carrying messages of peace and nonviolence. One poster read, "Jesus would not murder Iraqis." Another stated, "Peace takes work. War
takes lives."
"As far as his (King's) dream, it still hasn't been fully reached, but we can keep striving for it," said Priscilla Cobbs, who attended the event.
Cobbs said it is important to remember King.
"It's more important for the kids to remember - to remember the legacy he left behind," she said.
Cobbs said that despite the cold weather, it was a good turnout.
UNM student Pete Ristig said he appreciates King's philosophy.
"He was a very important man. What he stood for was very powerful," Ristig said. "His emphasis on diversity and his nonviolent approach to life was very important."
Kevin Gick, a UNM law school student, said King was a leader with integrity.
"He was a great figure," he said. "It's always good to honor people who are willing to stand up for what they believe in, no matter what the consequences."
