CITY LEADERS Monday urged residents to
follow the lessons of peace and social justice taught by Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. to confront the diverse issues facing the city and
the nation.
During a midafternoon rally in honor of the slain civil rights
leader, community activists and city leaders praised King and said
there is no better time than now to remember and practice his
teachings.
King would have turned 74 last Wednesday.
With the nation on the verge of possible war against Iraq, the
city having gone through a year of triple-digit homicides and a
school district facing state takeover, leaders used the national
holiday honoring King to preach against decisions being madeby top
national and state politicians. And they called for residents to
rise up, peacefully, against injustice throughout the country.
"Dr. King was a great way maker. He would make a way out of
anything," said school board president Greg Hodge, keynote
speaker at the rally. "He would be disturbed by what he is
seeing today, ... (but) he would encourage us to make a way for
truth and rights."
Were he alive today, King would make a way for the country to
prosper without war, work to give local residents control of their
own destinies and fight against social ills, speakers said.
He would make that way through nonviolence and education, they
added.
"Dr. King understood you had the right to protest an unjust
law," said Oakland City Attorney John Russo. "I teach my
boys that people who hit are losers. Use your mind. There is nothing
passive about being nonviolent."
While there were large crowds for some Bay Area events Monday,
only about 20 people showed up for Alameda's celebration.
Two years ago, at least 60 people turned out for the annual rally
that began 25 years ago when Elector Litlejohn -- the
great-granddaughter of slaves -- started the event.
"I think a lot of people (have) Raideritis," said
organizer Judith Givens. "I think because the Raiders won,
there is a lot of stuff going on in the Bay Area."
Speakers at the Oakland rally pointed to the growing apathy as
another reason why it is important for the nation to celebrate King.
"At no other time
has Martin Luther King's words of peace and justice been so
important," said Oakland City Councilmember Jean Quan
(Montclair-Laurel). "We need to come together as a community to
make sure they hear our cry."
About 30 others were making that cry during a morning march
around the banks of Lake Merritt.
Diana Busby was one of the marchers. Born in Montgomery, Ala.,
she said she marched with King in the 1950s. Half a century later,
there is still much to march for, she said, because not much has
changed in the racial landscape of America.
"I marched with him and I'm still marching," the
Oakland resident said with pride.
It's a march that all agreed needs to continue for the dream of
King to survive.
"He is an American hero because what he set forth improved
the quality of life for America," said Bill Patterson, a
longtime Oakland civil rights leader. "Let us in Oakland
continue in that tradition. ... we must continue to press for the
good of equality and justice for all."
