“Fired up!”
These words echoed throughout the streets of downtown Russellville Monday morning during a march to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Northwest Alabama chapter of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship committee presented an MLK Day event, “A Day On: Not a Day Off.” The event was held to remember the lasting legacy of Dr. King, who never ceased working for civil rights through his life and was very instrumental in non-violent demonstrations.
The event kicked off with a march from the Chucky Mullins Center to the Russellville courthouse, where participants had a prayer and sang “We Shall Overcome.” After the service at the courthouse, participants walked to the A.W. Todd Centre, where they were served lunch and attended a program featuring keynote speaker Robert Avery.
“Where would we be if Martin Luther King, Jr. decided to take a day off instead of a day on?” said Avery.
Avery loves knowing that similar celebrations were happening all across the nation Monday. He is glad to see that Dr. King’s impact is still felt today.
“I was fortunate to meet Dr. King as a kid, and he inspired me to take part in the Civil Rights Movement,” Avery said. “I have been on the battlefield ever since."
Before Avery spoke, an offering was taken up. The MLK Committee uses proceeds to go towards scholarships to high school seniors throughout the region.
Rev. B.J. Bonner of First M. B. Church in Russellville was excited about his opportunity to introduce Avery.
“Robert Avery is what I like to call an ‘actual’ He was actually there at the marches and protests that aired on television when I was a kid,” Bonner said. “No one thought we were watching, but we were.”
Said Luke Nelson, chairman of the Franklin County MLK Committee in Russellville, “This day isn’t for just a handful of people; it’s for everybody.”
The aim of the Committee continues to be that of realizing Dr. King’s dream of social justice and equality. That is a goal held at a high standard for NAACP Alabama president Bernard Simelton.
“Dr. King’s speeches were an inspiration to me,” Simelton said. “Every time I listen to them, they are just as profound today as they were then. Young men and women today are still reached by the words of Dr. King.”
Simelton was involved with the sit-in protests at Jeff Sessions’ office in Mobile earlier this year which led to the arrests of him and six other NAACP members.
“I’m thankful to see events like this happen,” Simelton said. “Not only in Russellville, but throughout the country, due to the direction I feel our country is headed.”
The MLK Memorial Scholarship Committee would like to thank everyone for their turnout and involvement with the 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service program. They also offered a special thanks to elected officials and event sponsors.
