Edgemont holds 5th Annual MLK Walk
Step by step, Edgemont residents honored Martin Luther King, Jr.’s journey for civil rights.
Civil rights on the move Martin Luther King led historic marches; it seems fitting that Edgemont walked in his honor this week.
BY BLAKE FEINSTEIN
On Monday, January 20, the fifth annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Walk was held in Edgemont to honor the life and legacy of the revered civil rights leader. Community members and elected officials, as well as students, parents, and administrators from the Edgemont School District all braved the cold weather to attend. At 10 a.m., participants gathered at the High School for hot chocolate and sign-making before walking through the community together as a show of support for Dr. King’s mission.
The walk ended back at the High School, where participants listened to heartfelt comments from local residents and leaders. Congressman George Latimer joined the event and shared remarks speaking to the significance of a community coming together to honor Dr. King’s vision despite the cold weather. He recalled how devastated he was when he heard the news of Dr. King’s assassination as a child.
Other community members, including Pastor Sam Neye of Greenville Community Church and Town Councilwoman Ellen Hendrickx, shared thoughts about this important day, along with student speakers. One student, Maaran Song, helped start the event when he was in fourth grade, with the support of family and friends. Maaran, now in 8th grade, started the walk to shine light on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy. He explained that this walk is important because Dr. King’s “dream of having a perfect society where people aren’t judged by the color of their skin hasn’t fully been achieved yet.”
At the event, Maaran spoke about Dr. King’s legacy, from his humble beginnings in racially segregated Montgomery to his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. Maaran explained that the walk, which started as a gathering of just 20 friends, “shows people that we still have more to work on.”
The event was sponsored by Edgemont4All, Edgemont Community Council, Greenville Community Church, and Edgemont School District’s DEI+B Committee.