Why We March — Union Church and the Berea Community Celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy

Union Church hosted the opening of the annual MLK Day march through the town on Monday, January 21st. We began our journey with a warm welcome from Rev. Kent Gilbert, a rousing song from Berea College’s Black Music Ensemble and an inspiring speech by Rev. Dr. Gail Bowman of the college’s Campus Christian Center on why we march today, 50 years after the Civil Rights Movement’s bloodiest year.

Rev. Bowman reminded the crowd of more than 100 community members and students that Berea began as a community of protest, daring to educate whites and blacks, men and women together. They have continued to stand up for civil rights for more than 150 years. To march together is to show solidarity and to build up our community in the midst of oppression. There is still work to do, and we are still Berea, and so we march.

The gathering then heeded her call and took to the streets. We left through Union Church’s doors and proceeded to First Christian Church, next door to City Hall, where marchers were greeted by Berea’s mayor, as well as other great speakers and more singing.

A great article detailing the day has been written in the Richmond Register. You can see it here: http://richmondregister.com/localnews/x1633459195/-We-are-Berea-and-so-we-march.

Special thanks to all who helped make this a wonderfully inspiring day!