By Robert Hansen, Observer Staff Writer
DEL PASO HEIGHTS – Hundreds of Sacramentans showed up for the MLK Jr. march in North Sacramento on Monday, leaving from Grant Union High School and covering some four miles on foot through Del Paso Heights.
Led by the beat of Grant Union High School’s drumline, hundreds marched in solidarity as MLK’s dream of economic justice and freedom for all has yet to be realized.
Fabrizio Sasso, executive director of the Sacramento Central Labor Council, said Del Paso Heights and other North Sacramento communities have been neglected for years by local leaders and he felt that participating in this march rather than other larger marches was most appropriate.
“This is the community march. It seems more grounded in community,” Sasso said.
Sasso said North Sacramento symbolizes the work of Dr. King. “The attention that this community needs is the same call to action that Dr. King made for social and economic justice,” he said.
O’Shay Johnson, director of I Am ManPower Academy, makes a point to consistently come out for the march to see the progress the community has made.
Johnson, who has participated in the march many times, said this year’s turnout is better than last year.
“In our community, it’s a struggle to get people to go out so to have this many people here today is beautiful,” Johnson said.
Many took video of the march from their porches and front yards while others set up tables outside with water and food for those marching. People from all walks of life came together to honor the legacy of Dr. King Jr.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg said MLK Jr. Day is one of the year’s most important and represents the values of North Sacramento.
“Folks come out to march, to be together and then work the rest of the year to get closer to that dream,” Steinberg said after the march.
At the end of the march, over 50 vendors were set up in Grant High School’s parking lot and gymnasium. Among them were SMUD, Golden 1 Credit Union and the Black Child Legacy Campaign, a community-driven committee that works to reduce African American child deaths.
Jacquelyn Kendricks of the Roberts Family Development Center said the day is an opportunity to support a community that doesn’t always know where to go for support.
“Events like this help remind people that there are people who support them,” Kendricks said. “Days like today remind people to be of service to others and their community.”