Iowa City and other nonprofits host march and celebration for MLK Day

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Round 250 individuals marched by way of Iowa Metropolis for Martin Luther King Jr Day on Monday morning adopted by a further occasion contained in the Mercer Park Health club that includes audio system, music, singing, and dance performances.

This occasion is a part of the Iowa Metropolis group’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration of Human Rights Week, which is a collaborative effort between the Metropolis of Iowa Metropolis, the Black Voices Challenge, the College of Iowa, and quite a few nonprofit businesses. The occasion allowed individuals who attended to rejoice the progress made in racial fairness in the US whereas reflecting on the progress nonetheless required.

Dady Mansaray, who owns a boxing fitness center referred to as ICOR Boxing in Iowa Metropolis, stated he believes right this moment is a day to rejoice and mirror on the values Martin Luther King Jr. exhibited throughout his life. He stated the performances, particularly from the kids, have been an inspiration to maintain preventing in opposition to injustice.

“I don’t do as a lot as many of those individuals out right here do,” Mansaray stated. “However for among the issues I do, it’s creating some sort of path that can lead us to that promised land. So, it’s very inspiring.”

Selina Gunn, who owns a meals truck referred to as Selina’s Creations in Iowa Metropolis, stated she believes the federal vacation is a celebration of how far racial fairness has are available the US. She stated the US nonetheless has work to do to satisfy racial equality on points associated to policing, which she believes wants authorities motion.

“I believe it’s going to take extra than simply marches you realize to vary the world we dwell in,” Gunn stated. “It’s going to take some motion by the town, representatives, or the federal government.”

Quite a lot of completely different state, metropolis, and native lawmakers round Johnson County attended the occasion.

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