Unity march, day of service planned in Merced to honor Martin Luther King Jr.
The legacy of civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. will be marked with a march, celebration and day of service in Merced on Monday, the holiday honoring his life and work.
The 29th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity March and Celebration is the city’s main event to honor King, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his work in the Civil Rights Movement.
Participants of the march will meet at 10 a.m. at the Merced Amtrak station, 324 W. 24th St. The march will begin at 11 a.m. and proceed down Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
The march will end after about a half mile at the Art Kamangar Center at the Merced Theatre, 301 W. Main St., where a free celebration will follow.
The theme for this year’s unity march and celebration is “Immeasurable,” to celebrate the immeasurable impact King made during his work as a civil rights leader.
“He stands for immeasurable courage, immeasurable love for humanity, immeasurable impact on civil rights and immeasurable unity,” said Tamara Cobb, executive director of the march and celebration. “His legacy lives in the freedoms we enjoy. His legacy grows with every generation that chooses justice over silence and unity over division.”
President Ronald Reagan signed Martin Luther King Jr. Day into law as a federal holiday in 1983. The day marks the slain civil rights leader’s birthday. King was born in Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta.
Monday’s march will feature walkers, bands, horses, cars and strollers, Cobb said.
The celebration is scheduled for noon. It will feature food vendors, food for children, a church choir, youth and praise dancers and more. A band for older adults will play at Cousins Corner restaurant across the street, Cobb said.
Among those to be honored Monday:
- Pastor Allen Huddleston of St. Matthew Baptist Church will be the grand marshal. Huddleston was Merced College women’s basketball coach for 29 years. He retired in 2023.
- Lynn White, vice president of the NAACP Merced branch and a longtime employee of the state of California, will be given the Spirit Award.
- Merced police Sgt. Nathan McKinnon will be honored with the Guardian of Peace award.
- The first MLK Economic Empowerment Award will recognize the leadership of the First Black Chamber of Commerce business in Merced.
Those who want to participate, volunteer or receive more information can email mlkdynasty2025@yahoo.com or call 209-205-5876
UC Merced Day of Service
UC Merced is inviting students, staff, faculty and alumni to honor King by participating in a day of service from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.
The university’s Community Engagement Center is providing volunteer opportunities for students. Among them are:
- Help with logistics and distribute information for the unity march, which starts at the Merced Amtrak Station.
- Welcome attendees and check in performers and vendors for the program at Merced Theater.
- Play games with residents at Park Merced Senior Living.
- Help the Yosemite Leadership Program by supporting the park’s volunteer awards event.
- Join Mayor Matthew Serratto at the D Street shelter to uplift a space that provides safety, compassion, and meals for homeless individuals.
Questions about the day of service can be emailed to communityservice@ucmerced.edu.
This story was originally published January 12, 2026 at 12:35 PM.
