Alamogordo marches to keep King's dream alive

ALAMOGORDO — This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day fell on King's actual birthday, Jan. 15, and marked the 50th anniversary of his assassination.

Members of the local chapter of the NAACP, Prince Hall Masonic Lodge No. 11, Queen Ester Chapter 2 and Alamogordo residents marched to honor and celebrate the legacy of King Monday.

About 105 people marched from the Boys and Girls Club, 201 Dale Scott Ave., then proceeded to Washington Avenue down to City Hall, 1376 E. Ninth St. where Mayor Richard Boss declared Jan. 15, 2018, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Alamogordo through a proclamation with marchers returning back to the Boys and Girls Club via the same route.

“A lot of times these Mondays falls on days that is not his birthday,” City Commissioner Nadia Sikes said. “I believe he is probably looking down at us proud of the fact that we have been able to pull off what looks like to me, the biggest march that I’ve been involved in.”

Sikes said too many people forget the meaning of MLK Day because to some, it is just another federal holiday where they don’t have to work, but she said King’s dream is still relevant to this day and more important than ever.

“I heard Pastor Robinson say something the other day that I’ve used about five times,” she said. “He said today might be a day off, but let’s make it a day on.”

MLK Day is a federal holiday to celebrate the life achievements of King who promoted equal rights for everyone through non-violent means.

King believed in nonviolent civil disobedience during the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state laws. He gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during a march on Washington, D.C. for jobs and freedom on Aug. 28, 1963.

The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983.

Rev. Warren Robinson of the Owen Chapel A.M.E. Church, said he thinks the recent divide in the country generated people to come out and march this year.

“I think the hatred and the division coming out of Washington has spurred some people on. This march gives them the opportunity to walk and to talk to each other to show solidarity with those positive things for equality and justice for everybody,” Robinson said. “If you can do that you can bring people together. The parents who brought their kids have now entered into the community so we can pass it down to the new generations.”

Robinson encouraged everyone to join the NAACP and the Otero County Martin Luther King Jr. Committee to continue making a difference and keeping King’s dream alive.

Mayor Richard Boss said he was honored once again to be marching a second time and was glad to see so many people this year.

“We had more people this year. There was significantly more people which is a good turnout for Alamogordo,” Boss said. “I think we should celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day everywhere in our country. I think Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the greatest person that we’ve had in our history. He did a lot for racial equality and civil rights. I think it’s awesome that we’re doing this march in Alamogordo to honor his legacy.”

Sikes read a letter on behalf of Sen. Tom Udall who was not able to attend the march due to prior commitments.

“Thanks to Dr. King and other leaders, our children grow up believing that no one should be judged on the color of their skin. And that everyone deserves an equal opportunity for a bright future, no matter their background,” Udall stated in the letter. “That is what we teach at home and at school. It’s what we preach in our houses of worship. And it is what we celebrate across our nation on Martin Luther King Day.”

For more information on how to join the NAACP or the Otero County Martin Luther King Jr. Committee call 434-3066 or email Robinson at wrobinson7477@gmail.com.