Thousands march in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

SEATTLE — The rally was the 31^st annual celebration of Martin Luther King Day, which started at Garfield High School to the federal building in downtown.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Chris Legeros spoke with Nina Elmore about what the march meant to her and her 18-month-old daughter.

“It’s important for her to remember legacy even though she’s a baby, but whose steps, whose shoulders she stood on, our ancestors,” said Elmore.

Elmore said more needs to be done to continue the work of Dr. King. She would like to see every young person get equal access to good education.

“And I believe in his dream, and his vision. So I’m here to show my love and support,” said supporter Marlinda Johnson.

Others who attended called for stricter gun controls, and one speaker said there’s no better way to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy of non-violence.

“Let freedom ring when the youth of today can be safe and protected when they go to school, the mall, the movies unlike what happened in Connecticut, Colorado and Oregon,” said Isaiah Barnett.

Dr. Alexes Harris, a sociology professor, is arguing that people can’t be free until they are safe.

“I’m not arguing for gun control because of the violence in Newtown, Connecticut, but because of the violence on MLK (Way) and Cherry (Street), the violence in front of Maya on Rainier, the violence at the Racer Café and the violence at the gas station in Rainier Beach,” said Dr. Harris.

KIRO