On January 18, 2010, hundreds of citizens, young and old, black and white, assembled for the Martin Luther King Ceremonial March.

This was the 30th Annual celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

The march begins at the Capitol building and winds down the street to the Progress Energy Center where the Noonday Service is held in the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.

Almost a 1,000 people filled the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium to hear Bernard LaFayette, one of Martin Luthor King, Jr.’s closest confidants speak.

“Martin Luther King understood that if you’re going to make changes on a massive level, you got to get the masses of people involved,” -Bernard LaFayette.

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” –Martin Luther King, Jr. Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, Dec. 10, 1964

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” –Martin Luther King, Jr. from “Strength to Love”

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

“It’s not just about color, it’s about everyone.  Everyone wants a decent education for their children, adequate housing, access to healthcare and an opportunity to supoort themselves and their families.  In other words, even though we may look different we all want the same thing, and we all deserve the same thing.  That’s what this country was founded on.”
-Ruby Turner, a march organizer

This is 4 year old Cameron.  This was his first MLK Ceremonial March.

For more information on Martin Luther King, Jr. events visit King-Raleigh.org