Capitol marchers reflect on King’s advice to keep democracy ‘moving forward’

Several hundred people marched to the Capitol Wednesday not only to reflect on the accomplishments and struggles of Martin Luther King Jr. but to try to move democracy forward.

Organized by The People’s Campaign, a grassroots political action committee that promotes equality in government tax and policy programs, the “MLK Memorial March to Move” was held on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the iconic civil rights leader in Memphis.

The event attracted politicians, educators, union leaders, representatives from various faith organizations, community activists and others. It often spilled over into today’s political issues.

“We march to move forward, as we continue the fight towards equality, towards a more compassionate society, towards a more representative democracy where the people have an active voice in the future of our state and country,” said Clark Williams, president of The People’s Campaign.

King once said, “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

The “dreamer” may be dead, Crystal DeGregory of The Atwood Institute of Kentucky State University told the crowd in referring to King, and added, “We march because we still believe in the dream.”

The march began about 1:30 p.m. from 3rd Street and Capital Avenue and covered about four blocks to the front steps of the Kentucky Capitol.

Several speakers in the chilly weather talked about political issues that have been discussed in legislative sessions this year and last.

Berry Craig, with the state AFL-CIO, criticized state lawmakers last year for passing a right-to-work bill unions opposed. The law prohibited unions from requiring employees to pay dues in a unionized workplace.

“We’ve got to get rid of some of the fellows in this big building right here,” he said, nodding to the Capitol.

Todd Dunn, president of the Louisville Central Labor Council, said Republican lawmakers and Gov. Matt Bevin “attacked organized labor” last year “and they came after teachers this year,” a reference to legislation dealing with public workers’ pensions.

Sahar Mohammadzadeh, a senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington who will be attending Harvard University next year, said the state needs to spend more dollars on education.

Ricky Jones, professor and chair of Pan-African Studies Department at the University of Louisville, told the crowd, “Now is the time for fighters.” He added, “If you love King, fight damn it.”

Politicians at the program included Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, Democratic state Reps. Derrick Graham of Frankfort and James Kay of Versailles and Democratic state Sen. Gerald Neal of Louisville.

This story was originally published April 4, 2018 at 2:02 PM with the headline "Capitol marchers reflect on King’s advice to keep democracy ‘moving forward’."