San Francisco, CA
Freedom Train attracts new generation of riders for MLK Day
Freedom Prepare attracts new technology of riders for MLK Day
A brand new technology of civil rights advocates have joined onto an annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day custom of using the Freedom Prepare within the Bay Space. For households, this was an opportunity to stroll within the footwear of those that got here earlier than within the battle for equality.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – A brand new technology of civil rights advocates have joined onto an annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day custom of using the Freedom Prepare within the Bay Space.
“I feel [King] was an actual fighter and I’ve two dads, so it’s actually vital for me as a result of he didn’t simply battle for Black folks, he fought for everybody,” 9-year-old Apple Keller-McMallan mentioned.
One thousand folks boarded Caltrain’s Freedom Prepare Monday for a journey from San Jose to San Francisco to honor King’s legacy.
For households, this was an opportunity to stroll within the footwear of those that got here earlier than within the battle for equality.
“To have the ability to expertise this with my youngsters, my nephews and my niece, it’s a priceless second,” Nechelle Lemons mentioned. “That is our second time doing this.”
The journey is in its thirty eighth yr, rolling from the Diridon Station to Fourth and King Streets as a tribute to the civil rights period. A march via the streets adopted.
“It isn’t nearly Black folks, it’s about all folks,” Cherie Kabba from Redwood Metropolis mentioned. “Dr. King marched for everyone and everyone who’s out right here with us as we speak, that is a tremendous, very emotional occasion.”
The gap between the 2 cities is a bit more than 50 miles, reflective of the march by King and protestors from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery.
“He made large strides for the battle for civil rights in America and we now have to maintain on taking steps to honor him,” 14-year-old Aisha McCulloch of San Francisco mentioned. “Carry on combating towards racism and discrimination as a result of the battle’s not over.”
Marchers spilled onto the streets shouting “freedom fighters” and over the bridge close to AT&T Park. Above the statue of Willie Mays, King’s phrases of knowledge are on a banner that claims “The time is at all times proper to do what is true.”
Even the brand new technology of members mentioned they hope the rally can advance progress, inclusion and understanding.
Civil rights advocates mentioned it is a second to face up and step ahead, recognizing the facility and potentialities for the longer term, formed by a pacesetter of the previous.
“I feel it’s vital to indicate that there’s nonetheless work that must be performed to commemorate the progress that has been made but in addition to get re-inspired annually,” mentioned Daybreak Martin of San Francisco. “It provides everybody a chance to consider how we apply King’s legacy to our lives every day.”
Brooks Jarosz is a reporter for KTVU. Electronic mail him at brooks.jarosz@fox.com and comply with him on Fb and Twitter @BrooksKTVU