93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
About 50 mid-Missourians participated in last night’s MLK candlelight walk in downtown Columbia to reflect on the life of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Former Columbia mayoral candidate Tanya Heath tells 939 the Eagle that about 50 people participated in the walk, which began at the Armory.
Participants then attended the MLK memorial celebration at St. Luke United Methodist Church on East Ash. This year’s theme was “the struggle is not over.”
Ms. Heath tells 939 the Eagle that church pews were full, with about 125 people in attendance. The event included a sermon, a proclamation from Mayor Barbara Buffaloe, singing and poetry reading. Awards were presented to several people, including Douglas Park volunteer Daryl Williams, businessman Reid Millard, Dick Walls and Camren Cross. Millard established a scholarship for tech, and Ms. Heath notes Walls created many programs behind the scenes to help so many. Mr. Cross is the Blue Thunder track club director and co-director of the Armory. Heath notes it began with 50 people and has grown to more than 250 youth. He’s seeking additional volunteers.
Dr. King was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis. Then-President Ronald Reagan signed bipartisan legislation in 1983 creating the MLK federal holiday. It was first observed in 1986.
