Community using MLK day as racial injustice platform

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “the time is always right to do what’s right,” and on Monday, MLK day, was the perfect time and place to stand against racial injustice.

A typical MLK celebration in South Bend would include a march from the County-City building to the Century Center. However, this year because of the pandemic it was scrapped, but didn’t stop local organizations to join together to have a commemoration march of their own.

“He had a dream, and his dream was so that our children of all colors could dream to be anything they want to be, and to be able to come together. And it was important today to show that we’re here together to support our youth, especially in this time and everything that’s going on,” Choices for Life Organization Vice President Sherri Weekly said.

Along with the dozens of kids with signs honoring MLK, city officials also stopped by to show their support.

“It’s great to see kids realizing the importance of this day in particular and commemorating Dr. Kings legacy,” South Bend Mayor James Mueller said.

Instances of racial injustice, inequality and violence blew up nationwide last year, including here in South Bend and surrounding cities.

“We really have a lot of work to do as a country and we have a lot of healing to do as a community,” Mueller said. “That’s a top priority because the very essence of our democracy of our country depends on us coming together and getting this right.”

And getting things right—is what community members will strive for until things change.

“At this point we got to continue to show love, peace, unity, equality because that’s what he was about and that’s what he wanted,” Choices for Life Organization Founder Aisha Avance said.

For more information on upcoming events or to get involved with Choices for Life, you can visit their Facebook page.