Hundreds March in Memory of Martin Luther King Jr.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As the country celebrated the President Barack Obama’s inauguration on Monday, hundreds of people marched to Macon City Hall in memory of Martin Luther King Junior.

Crowds gathered across the city meeting in the North, South, East, and West. The group finally came together as one in front of city hall to remember a man who had a dream

“I’m marching just like Martin Luther King did for us,” marcher Danielle Mathis said.

For 17-year-old Mathis, marching keeps King’s dream of unity, diversity, and love alive.

“I think I’m marching for more of a purpose of everyone should unite and I feel this is an opportunity for us to respect our ancestors and I feel honored to be able to do so,” Mathis said.

Marchers of all ages made the hike. They carried signs of hope and equality.

“We marching today because Martin Luther King day,” marcher Taya Peitillo said. “Because he died and how many doors he opened up for us.”

The Evangelical Minister’s Alliance of Macon hosts the march every year. Reverend Lisa Watson says its an opportunity for everyone to keep the dream alive.

“We’re just so excited about the history that we’re making today, seeing so many of our youth and to celebrate the dream and to help keep Martin Luther King’s legacy going,” Watson said.

The day not only honored the past, but it was also a chance to celebrate the country’s future now that President Obama is officially sworn in for his second term.

“He [President Obama] is continuing to challenge us today to build a more perfect union and together we can build a more perfect union,” Macon Mayor Robert Reichert said. “So its most appropriate that we today commemorate the past, celebrate the present, and commit ourselves to the future.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech. After the march, the crowd gathered at the Stewart Chapel AME Church to continue the day of MLK elebrations.