A famous quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. states, “We cannot walk alone, and as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.”
Such belief guided Dr. King’s approach to social change. At pivotal moments such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Birmingham Campaign, and the 1963 March on Washington, Dr. King used marches as moral statements. It was a nonviolent way to demand justice, visibility, and accountability.
More than 60 years later, that legacy continued Jan. 19 as about 500 people gathered at Grant Union High School on a foggy morning for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Call to Action march in Del Paso Heights.
The event brought together students, families, elders, and community leaders. They reflected on Dr. King’s legacy and put his teachings into action. The march aimed to honor Dr. King and provide space for organizing, fostering intergenerational dialogue, and inspiring ongoing community engagement. It was organized by Twin Rivers Unified School District, the City of Sacramento, and local community organizations.
Derrell Roberts, chief executive officer of the Roberts Family Development Center and one of the event’s organizers, said he was encouraged by the turnout, especially the number of young people who showed up despite the cold.
“More than anything else, our intention today was to ensure that young people have a platform to express their voices, be heard, and for us to actively engage in meaningful conversations about continuing King’s mission,” he said.
For Roberts, Dr. King’s legacy is deeply personal. He recalls being a child in 1968 when Dr. King was assassinated.
“Because of my mom’s reaction, I knew that day was a hard day,” he said. “Something happened to somebody very important.”
He added that many of the issues Dr. King sought to address remain unresolved.
“If you think about it, the 1964 Voting Rights Act, [it’s] almost 62 years later, and we’re dealing with the exact same issues,” Roberts said. “It’s important that we work with our young people and across the board in our communities to make sure we don’t go backward.”
Bundled in jackets and hoodies against the cold, marchers received free sweatshirts and food. Organizers said the gesture ensured everyone could participate comfortably and emphasized the day’s focus on care, community, and collective responsibility.
During the march, participants reflected on what Dr. King’s legacy means to them today, building on the themes discussed by earlier speakers and community leaders.
“I am here to continue the march that Martin Luther King started,” said Stella Byrd, a Sacramento resident. “The legacy of Martin Luther King to me means that we must always fight for justice. He started this fight, and we must continue.”
Thian Griffith, who attended the march with her two daughters, said she worries that Dr. King’s legacy is under threat.
“The legacy of MLK means freedom — the ability to participate in this march today without worrying that violence would occur,” Griffith said. “But with the way our country is moving, I’m worried about our ability to continue these marches and live out MLK’s legacy in the future.”
For Natasha C. Miller, the march was about honoring the path King helped create.
“Dr. Martin Luther King provided a legacy for us to be able to walk, to have our freedom,” Miller said.
Youth voices also were at the forefront of the event. Jackson Johnson, a senior at Grant Union High School, delivered a speech urging older generations to engage more deeply with young people.
“We need you,” Johnson said. “We need more than your applause and more than celebration. We need you to teach us why things are the way they are. Teach us the history, the systems, and the strategies you used to survive.”
As the fog lifted and the march ended, community members reflected on Dr. King’s decades-old messages. For those at Grant High, the march served as both a tribute and a reminder that the call to action endures.