People In Montgomery Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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By Ashley Thompson

Story Created: Jan 21, 2013 at 8:47 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 22, 2013 at 12:39 AM CDT

People in the Capital City are recognizing the life of Dr. Martin Luther King.  From church services to a march on Montgomery, a number of events took place today.

It's been over 48 years since Martin Luther King Jr. led a band of marchers from Selma to the Capitol steps in Montgomery.

To honor Dr. King's memory, these people in the River Region created a march of their own, from the Downtown Montgomery post office, up Dexter avenue and once again to the steps of the Capitol. Hundreds were in attendance, including Governor Robert Bentley who remembers a significant time in the Civil Rights movement.

"Fifty years ago, I was a student in Tuscaloosa when the first two African Americans enrolled," he explains. "And I was a student there that summer and I saw it and to see how far that we have come in fifty years, it's amazing."

Many children were given the day off of school and were also a part of the MLK festivities. 8-year-old Xavier Hall says he wanted to use his time off to remember Dr. King.

"I am happy to support his birthday and I am thankful for all that he's done," Hall says.

The pews of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church were full as people from all over the city came to celebrate. It was here that Dr. King served as a pastor in the late 50's. Jasmine French of the Carver High School choir says singing at the church was the least she could do.

"We celebrate this all the time. We take our time out to come celebrate him for what he has done and what he has left his footprints on and we really thank him for doing what he has done," says French.

And as President Barack Obama was once again inaugurated in Washington, this time on the birthday of MLK, some couldn't help but draw parallels between the two.

"I've heard a lot about Dr. Martin Luther King but just to actually be alive too see the first black President get elected again, I think that's pretty awesome," says spectator Joshua Chambers.

"It shows that no matter where you come from, where you start at, race, color, creed...you have an opportunity to change this country," says attendee Rudolph Porter.

The Governor also told us that although we may have a ways to go, he is very proud of how far things have come.
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