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Austin honors Dr. King with large celebration

Published  January 19, 2015 3:56pm CST
Black History Month
FOX 7 Austin

AUSTIN, Texas - Thousands of people gathered in Austin on a beautiful winter day to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The day of celebration started on the University of Texas campus with a rally.

"It was an extreme honor," said Artist Tyson, 10. The fifth grader won this year's MLK oratory contest and a chance to speak during this year's MLK day celebration.

"I was kind of nervous. I just can't believe I actually did it," said Tyson.

"Oh what an honor it is to meet you sir. We have a lot of issues," Tyson passionately said into the microphone in front of a large crowd of people without notes. He spent about a month working on Monday's speech. The speech was put together as a modern day conversation Tyson would have with Dr. King if he were still alive.

"I catch the news and it seems like boys a little older than me don't make it home. So Dr. King says to me injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," Tyson said.

The young boy from Pflugerville made his parents very proud. "I don't think there was a day we didn't talk about the dream. We realized we were living the dream so it's just part of our household conversation to stay positive, love and inclusion," said Paulette Tyson, Artist's mother.

The speech echoes what Dr. King spent years preaching during the Civil Rights Movement.

Following Tyson's speech and the rest of the rally people gathered from all of Austin to walk the streets from campus to Huston-Tillotson University. Every step was dedicated to living out Dr. King's dream.

"Let's keep moving forward. The journey requires we keep moving forward so will you join me?" said Tyson.

His voice may be young but it's powerful and he knows he's doing his part.

"I could tell on their faces and how they clapped that I think I did some good today," said Tyson.

Due to the set up for Tuesday's inauguration ceremony the march did not stop at the Capitol.

Organizers hope for an even bigger crowd in 2016. This year marks the 21st year for Austin's MLK Celebration.