Merced community honors Martin Luther King Jr. during annual Unity March

Merced County residents, activists and community leaders gathered Monday during an annual Unity March to honor the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Participants gathered at the Merced Amtrak Station before marching along Martin Luther King Jr. Way to the Merced Theatre. The annual Peace and Unity March took place on what would have been the late civil rights leader’s 95th birthday.

Marchers of all ages walked the route, some carrying signs with various human rights messages as local middle school bands played “We Shall Overcome” as participants made their way to the Merced Theatre where an afternoon program and celebration took place.

Merced NAACP President Allen Brooks called it a beautiful day saying that once again the community gathered for Martin Luther King Jr.

“We are proud to be here. The NAACP is loud and proud we’re always doing something,” said Brooks while speaking to those in attendance. “This is a beautiful day because once again we’re here for MLK and it’s not about color. A lot of times they say it’s about color and color is what divides us. We come together and make the choices for ourselves,” said Brooks.

Brooks also spoke to those in attendance about the importance of voting and the impact it can make on the lives of those living in the community.

Attending the march Monday was Weaver Middle School teacher Reinetta Bazemore, 46, who serves as the advisor to the school’s Black Student Union. Bazemore attended the march with some of her students who set up a free popcorn booth behind the Merced Theatre.

Bazemore said she has participated in the march for several years and previously served on the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee. This is the first year Weaver Middle School’s Black Student Union has participated in the march.

“We’re just all about representation for the Black community here in Merced,” said Bazemore. “Martin Luther King Day means a lot to us because it reminds us that we are a community–and the key part of that word is unity. Even though our population might be small in this county it’s very important that we have positive representation.”

Bazemore said as advisor to the Weaver Black Student Union, she teaches the students about civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and how the messages still apply today and what it looks like in today’s society.

According to Bazemore, the Weaver Black Student Union acted as a leader in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on campus and will be participating in a middle school leadership conference allowing students the opportunity to meet with other civically involved students.

In 1993, Bishop Dwight Amey, along with a group of residents, successfully led a campaign to rename J Street in Merced to Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday which honors Dr. King’s birthday, was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983.