Residents gathered under a clear blue sky in the St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church parking lot last Monday to celebrate the life and legacy of Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to spread the message that keeping hope alive is more important now than ever before.
In prior years, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Committee of Indian River County has organized a parade that culminates with an afternoon of activities at Gifford Park. Although those were canceled due to the coronavirus, committee members – much like the immovable spirit of MLK – were not willing to let it lessen the light that King had shone on injustice.
“We wanted people to have hope and keep the faith. The dream is still alive,” said Linda Morgan, MLK committee member. “We’ve just got to have faith.”
As people listened from their cars or sitting in family groups on lawn chairs under the canopy of oaks along 38th Avenue, representatives from area churches and key members of the community shared messages of hope and love through song, poetry, scripture and prayer.
Pastor Benny Rhyant noted that King’s words from his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech were as relevant today as they were in 1968.
“Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation,” said Rhyant.
King devoted his life to a quest for racial equality and ending racial segregation and, while progress has been made, recent incidents have brought to light that more than a half-century later, MLK’s words still ring true: “We have come a long, long way but we still have a long, long way to go.”
“The Sheriff’s Office, our hearts and our minds and our arms and our ears are open more than they’ve ever been,” said newly elected Sheriff Eric Flowers. “We’re available to the community, and we are here for you. We are here to listen, and we are here to be a part of the community.”
Dep. Chief Milo Thornton, the highest-ranking African-American law enforcement officer in Indian River County, reiterated that commitment, adding that he had decided to pursue a career in law enforcement more than 20 years ago to “be a part of the solution and not the problem.”
Elder Charlie Jones of the Staten’s Temple Church of God by Faith said that the country has been blessed in recent years to see people of color in the highest offices of the country, including now a woman, Kamala Harris, in the position of vice president of the United States.
“Let us be a light on top of that hill. A beacon for men to come to understand that unity in the community,” implored Dep. Teddy Floyd during the benediction.
In addition to the annual MLK Day activities, the committee hosts a scholarship banquet to raise funds for graduating seniors. For more information, visit drmlkjrbirthdaycomirc.weebly.com.
Photos by Kaila Jones
