Despite below-zero temperatures, a celebration of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the legacy he left behind was held in the IM East building on Monday morning.
The march was originally planned to be held at Beaumont Tower with participants marching to the construction site of the MSU Multicultural Center, but due to inclement weather, the decision to move the celebration to IM East was made by the MLK Student Commemorative Committee.
“It was definitely a change from the typical approach to the march, but we had a mindset of ensuring that we executed the march,” Accounting senior Nate Jefferson, treasurer for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. said. “It was a great turnout, a lot of people showed up, a lot of people were excited to have the opportunity to show their respects to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and everything he stood for.”
Jefferson said Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.’s role within the march has a personal connection to King’s legacy because King was a member of the fraternity.
“Not only did he have an integral role within the country and the world, and the movement for human rights, but he also had an integral role and still has an integral piece in our hearts for our fraternity,” Jefferson said. “We want to make sure that we are able to facilitate an annual walk and an annual show of respect each year for Dr. King.”
Related: How students, community members advocate for change through MLK Day march (The State News)
