'We the Children Will March': 2019 MLK Youth Rally and March

The 24th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Rally and March took place Monday, Jan. 21 with record crowds despite the frigid temperatures. The annual event was organized by a diverse group of area youth and held in conjunction with the national recognition of the birthday of King. All components were intended to celebrate his legacy and the mission of the event's planning committee.

This year’s theme: “We the Children WILL March!”

“Our theme calls not only youth but adults to action and demands that they take action to shape this country into a land that they love,” said Azcia Fleming, Lincoln High School junior and planning committee member.

The day’s events began in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Ballroom with a pre-rally celebration, which included performances by the Belmont Elementary School Choir, Lincoln High Drumline and Cheer, the LPS mariachi band and the “I Am Somebody” pledge. It was followed by the “Unifying March” at 9:50 a.m. through the streets of downtown Lincoln, climaxing with the annual “Call to Action” program  at approximately 10:30 a.m. in the Warner Chamber at the State Capitol.

The “Call to Action” program included area youth with presentations of original and adapted works, including: Belmont TRACKS scholars of Belmont Elementary School Lincoln performing a choral reading of "Let the Children March"; Class of 2019 Fly "Black Girl Fly" by Southwest High School senior Jaden Ferguson; and youth keynotes by Lincoln High students Sophia Olson, Azcia Fleming and Makhi Fleming.

Fifth-grade Belmont teacher Bobbie Ehrlich was presented with the Community Contributor Award. The award is based on the rally's misson: “…promotion of the life and dreams of the late Rev. Dr. King Jr. through positive youth action in the community."

Thank you to the City of Lincoln for recording the event:

 

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