Students reflect on MLK’s legacy as march takes place in downtown Fort Myers

Reporter: Andrea Guerrero Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:
FORT MYERS MLK MARCH 2022
FORT MYERS MLK MARCH 2022 Credit: WINK News

On Monday, many people are coming together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Monday morning, dozens of people marched from Dunbar High School to Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers. New generations are getting to see what was down just decades ago in the fight for equal rights. Now, parents and students alike reflect on what MLK means to them.

People marched on Monday and crossed the railroad tracks on MLK Blvd in Fort Myers. These railroad tracks are a symbol that was once used to divide Black and White.

Martin Byrd is the president of the Dunbar Festival Committee. “We put people back in that space that many of our civil rights leaders were in as they marched across the country fighting for voting rights and workers’ rights,” said Byrd.

That march continued for almost two miles to Centennial Park, where, once upon a time, Black people weren’t allowed to go. It’s hard to imagine that that was less than 60 years ago.

Dayton Howard is a fourth-grader who marched in the parade. “One thing that I was really surprised about is on the benches it was white benches and black benches. That’s something I didn’t know that existed back then,” Dayton said.

And, even at a young age, these kids see and feel that progress has been made.

Journey Harris is a second-grader. “He would probably be proud,” Journey said.

Messiah came to this march with their parents. “He was a leader, and he talks for the Black people,” said Messiah.

Though they weren’t around when Dr. King marched, they continued to carry his message with them.

Love is a cure for black people and the whites,” Dayton said. 

“He didn’t want other people to be treated any different way,” said Journey.

So they marched, sang, and celebrated the way Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. hoped that they would – not just for the Black community but for that nation.

Jakhi Harris is in the third grade. “It would be even worse if nobody gets along,” said Jakhi. 

“If I’m getting treated differently, I would do what Dr. King did, seriously,” said Journey.

Just like Dr. King did, these kids marched and vowed to live in unity.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.