'We are all interconnected': Hundreds march in Ocala in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Editor's note: This story has been revised to correct the spellings of Frans Van Santen and L.C. Stevenson.

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade on Monday saw a line of marchers stretching over six blocks make the 1½-mile trek from the Downtown Ocala Square to Webb Field at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center to honor the life and ideals of the slain civil rights leader.

The Rev. Eric Cummings, chairman of the Marion County School Board, said the march was all about unity.

Cummings said with current division in the country and voting rights legislation pending, people need to be "brought back to center."

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"I believe Dr. King would be upset by the division. We are moving backwards (in some areas)," he said.

Cummings said at the end of the march he was happy to see "all of God's children, Black and white, doing something positive" by honoring Dr. King's dream.

Cold weather? No problem for these marchers

Brenda Bess, 74, braved the chilly 40-degree temperatures with her friend Iris Thomas and Thomas' grandchild Dior Harvey, 9, to join the march.

"I come every year," Bess said.

Frans Van Santen, who recently moved here from Amsterdam, marched with a group from Grace Episcopal Church.

"This is my first (Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade) and it is an honor," he said.

Van Santen said the march "is important" and stands for King's belief in “dignity for all human beings."

Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn marched in one of the lead groups.

"We honor Dr. King's legacy (and words) to not judge people by the color of their skin but what is in their hearts," he said.

Kelsey Meekins, 22, and Cynthia Warkoski, 28, were part of a large group from the College of Central Florida who covered the march route.

Groups marching in the parade also included New Zion Missionary Church; New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church; Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ; Greater Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church; Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Sparr; United Church of Christ; Little Chapel United Methodist Church, Santos; Vanguard High School; New Shady Grove Missionary Church; The Bridges Project; St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Morriston; Kut Different, a youth advocacy group; Immerse Church; Unitarian Universalists; Sprit of Love Childcare; and Mount Zion A.M. E. Church.

The march was followed by a festival at Webb Field

Following the march, crowds gathered at Webb Field at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex, where vendors were set up and local dignitaries addressed the group.

CF President James Henningsen challenged the attendees to "keep moving" in the vison and legacy of Dr. King.

Marion County Court Judge Lori Cotton told the group Dr. King wrote in his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" that "we are all interconnected."

"Whatever happens to one of us happens to all of us," she said, referring to Dr. King's writings.

Greg Harrell, Marion County clerk of courts, said "everyone can be of service" and spoke of the legacy of local civil rights activists Whitfield Jenkins and L.C. Stevenson.

Marion County School Superintendent Diane Gullett told the assembly Dr. King "had a dream of freedom and equity" for everyone. She said the local schools try to provide a "pathway for everyone to strive to fulfill their dreams."

Ocala City Council President Ire Bethea, President Pro-Tem James Hilty and Ocala Police Chief Michael Balken made the march and participated in the gathering at Webb Field.

Bethea, who has been on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade organizing committee for 20 years, said it was a good turnout in light of the chilly weather and COVID-19 concerns.

'Keep moving'

Bethea remarked on the diverse ethnic mix represented at the event. He said the march is a teaching moment for elders to pass the message of Dr. King to youth in the community.

Wayne Little, 41, had his son, Malcolm, 7, at the Webb Field gathering.

"Dr. King helped end racism," Malcom said.

Antoinette Davis with the Marion County chapter of the NAACP Executive Committee operated a voting registration booth at Webb Field. A number of the organization's Youth Group members including Francesca Mitchell, KaNiya Murphy, Richshard-Prince Brown, Colin Mitchell and Zania Brown were there.

Davis said her group was working to dispel misinformation about voting and ensure everyone properly understands their voting rights.

Sarah Greene of Ocala walked through the park during the event with perhaps the youngest attendee: Jeriamiah, age 1½.

Olden Williams was a member of the Class of 1968 at the segregated Howard High School in Ocala. That was the year Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

He said the loss of Dr. King was strongly felt by the students who he said was seen as a mentor.

"(His teaching) was to keep moving," Williams said.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: On MLK Day, Ocala/Marion gathers to remember and celebrate