City of Austin honors MLK’s legacy in march, rally

Hundreds marched from Martin Luther King Jr's statue on the University of Texas at Austin campus to the Texas State Capitol Monday as part of the holiday celebration.

AUSTIN, Texas - The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebration began Monday morning at his statue on the University of Texas at Austin campus.

“MLK Day is the recognition of the shared struggle for equality and the many people who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of justice often at great personal sacrifice,” said UT president Gregory Fenves.

Fenves said the holiday is a day to also recognize the people who continue to do Dr. King's work. He shared how one of their very own past professors, John L. Warfield, also affectionately known as "Doc," helped realize King’s dream.

“Over a decade as director Doc would help lay the groundwork for a transformation of this university where racist and discriminatory practices would be challenged and changed,” said Fenves.

The crowd of hundreds marched to the state Capitol where FOX 7 Austin's own Destiny Chance was emcee. Attendees there shared what the holiday means to them.

“MLK Day is a reminder we are all created equal and we all should come together in Martin Luther King Jr.'s memory,” said attendee Ladene Nelson-Elliott.

“I’m from Mississippi. We come from a time when it was kind of rough back in the day. Martin Luther King said to us that there will be one day that we all will come together and get along and live with one another,” said attendee Gilliam Elliott.

The jubilation could be heard from a mile away, as the crowd then marched on to Huston-Tillotson University for a cultural festival.

“To see the amount of people who showed up here at our campus, and to be able to collaborate and interact with each other that's a big thing over here,” said Huston-Tillotson head women's basketball coach Kendall Ducree.

MLK Day means a lot of different things for different people, but there is one common theme that was heard repeatedly.

“In today's world. You want to have the unity. It's very important not to just see color or anything. We are all humans at the end of the day. Why not work together and come together as one?” said Ducree.

To honor King’s legacy and keep the spirit of service going, attendees were encouraged to donate canned goods that went to the Central Texas Food Bank.