KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, SportsAmarillo celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

NewsChannel 10

Amarillo, Texas - Nearly 50 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the March on Washington, where he made his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Today, a group of people led their own march on Amarillo, to celebrate his life and carry on his legacy.

Pearlene Martin says, "We're keeping the dream alive because as long as you keep doing something it will stay alive."

They marched through north Amarillo, carrying signs and banners honoring the civil rights leader and his work.

NAACP Amarillo Branch President Floyd Anthony says, "It brings back a lot of memories, some of them good and some of them bitter because of how the way things used to be. This march gives us an opportunity to commemorate all of the work that Dr. King did to bring this nation together as one nation and one community."

Even though this country has come a long way in achieving Dr. King's dream, many say we haven't come far enough.

Anthony says, "We can't sit back on our laurels and expect things to happen because this country is still divided on a lot of issues and we have to continue to communicate and work together."

Martin says, "There are still those who are not reaping the benefits of the things that are available to them. We're having too many dropouts in school and too much crime that is not necessary, so there are still a lot of things we need to work on."

Which is why today centered on the younger generations, in hopes of coming closer to the kind of world Dr. King wanted.

This is the parade's 12th year, but is the first year Amarillo ISD recognized today as a school holiday for teachers and staff.