Natchitoches’ fifth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration March for Justice and Peace was held Monday, January 20. The march began at the Ben D. Johnson Center and proceeded to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Triangle Park. The marchers were led by NSU’s Alpha Phi Alpha chapter who carried a wreath to commemorate the memory of the civil rights leader. Dr. King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, joining as a graduate student in 1952 at Boston College. The Alphas were joined by members of other NSU Greek organizations as well as community members and civic leaders. Members of the NSU football and volleyball teams were joined by a group of AmeriCorps members who are working with the Forest Service in Kisatchie National Forest. NCHS head football coach Brad Laird and several Chief players were also in attendance.
The march ended at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Triangle Park where in a solemnly moving ceremony the brothers of NSU’s Alpha Phi Alpha chapter placed a wreath at Dr. King’s memorial. The talented young men and women of NSU’s Lifted Voices Gospel Choir performed several selections. Pastor Jennie Seastrunk of Natchitoches’ Redemption Global Church delivered the invocation. The main speaker was NSU professor and director of the university’s Gail Metoyer Jones Center for Inclusion and Diversity, Dr. Jasmine Wise, who gave a truly moving and inspirational talk. Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams also spoke at the memorial service.
The event was organized by the City of Natchitoches, NSU and the Northwestern State University Center for Inclusion & Diversity. The Natchitoches City Marshal’s office provided traffic control.
