Wearing masks and marching for justice, a big crowd commemorated the life of Martin Luther King Jr. in Seattle. It was the 39th anniversary of the event.
The marchers were newly energized by the fight for racial justice that gripped the nation last summer.
“Because of the way society has been — disclination, this pandemic that the president refused to tell people about, and all the things that are occurring in our city and nationwide, those people taking over the Capitol and so forth. We have to put a change to this,” said marcher R.C. Demmings.
“Police violence against Black people, police brutality,” she said.
Relations with police remain a primary issue, according to marcher Adrianna Gutierrez.
The Gutierrez family brought their youngest, still in a stroller, in hopes he’ll remember this march as an example.
“People fighting for what they believe in. Everyone coming together; a peaceful march,” said mother Alicia Gutierrez
At a rally before the march, organizers paid tribute to late congressman John Lewis, who died last year.
Just 23, Lewis was the youngest speaker at the March on Washington, where King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.
“But throughout the history of our movements, it’s been young people who have stood at the forefront and prophetically at the possibilities when so many of us couldn’t believe it could be so,” said Sean Goode of youth support agency, Choose 180.
Today’s march was a call to action for everyone.
“If we all speak up, there is strength in numbers; you don’t have to be afraid to speak up. I mean, we’re on a roll now. And actually, if you don’t speak up, you are part of the problem. You’re not helping,” said Cheryl Jones.