Celebration of diversity
Rainbow of people join in MLK Day march

Led by members of the Gallup Fire Department's honor guard, participants walk along Montoya Boulevard on Monday to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

Two year-old Call Lemon holds an American flag Monday as he waits to begin walking in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorative march from the Gallup Multi-Cultural Center to the Larry Brian Mitchell Recreation Center in Gallup. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By Kevin Killough
Staff writer

GALLUP — Despite high winter winds in Gallup, about 150 people turned out for the annual prayer circle, freedom march, and public forum in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The event was a sample of the wide range of cultures and religions from the Gallup area community.

Yati Adelhardt, an instructor of intercultural communications at the Gallup branch of UNM, said the event was a great way for someone like her, who is new to town, to be a part of Gallup.

“What would be more perfect than this to be with the community?” she said.

The prayer circle kicked off the event as representatives from Baha’i, Islamic, Christian, Jewish, and Native American faiths took turns reading a prayer to the gathered crowd. Everyone then lined up and marched down Historic Route 66, across the Ford overpass, and down Montoya to the Larry Brian Mitchell Recreation Center.

The Gallup Fire Department Honor Guard led the group, carrying the flag as passing drivers honked their horns in support. Even drivers on Interstate Highway 40 who passed under the procession honked in support.
Lisa Frazier, who described herself as being Native American and Mexican, marched with her 5-year-old daughter. She said that she’s marched every year with her daughter, and this was the first year her daughter wasn’t in a stroller. She said that King’s message embraced all cultures.

“Dr. King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech gave us a vision for what we need for everybody,” she said.

Councilor Bill Nechero also participated in the march. He stressed that King’s civil rights message was also one of cooperation.

“We do have such a diversity here. We have to make sure all cultures work together for the community,” Nechero said.

At the recreation center, the Rev. Ruth Gilbert, who marched with King in Washington, D.C., spoke on King’s message, legacy, and the importance of voting.

“For us to come out today: black, white, and Native American is his dream,” she told the crowd.

Tuesday
January 22, 2008
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