In Honor Of MLK
- Livable El Cerrito
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Several hundred people took to the streets in El Cerrito for the 37th annual El Cerrito celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The crowd marched from City Hall to El Cerrito High School, where a rally and program were planned.
The event has come a long way. When it was first proposed nearly four decades ago, the city government refused to give support. On Monday, the police department – including two officers on e-bikes – provided security along the route and City Council members and staff were among those marching in the parade.
Supervisor John Gioia posted: “Participating in a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. event is a powerful way to express our support for democratic values, equity, tolerance, love, service, and justice.”
Many members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley wore yellow shirts and carried colorful signs.
“Our church is a great place to go in these trying times,” said one church member.
Other organizations included the Prince Hall Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star, the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, the Contra Costa Japanese American Citizens League, the Committee for South African Solidarity, supporters of a new El Cerrito Library, El Cerrito/Richmond Annex Walk & Roll, and the Black Cowboys (and cowgirls).
Wilbert F. McAlister, a former Black Cowboys president, said his group was smaller than in the past because it lost some members, as well as a pony. The group posed with State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond, who they said is an honorary member.
Harding School and Peres School were also represented.
Serena Secyugu with the Committee for South African Solidarity said her Berkeley-based group would welcome donations of books for children up to age 6 to send to daycare centers in South Africa.
El Cerrito High School cheerleader Chikhari Warden and three cheerleader moms were selling Gaucho blankets in the school lobby. The blankets can be ordered via email at Echscheerteam23@gmail.com.
The Gumbo band played on a U-Haul trailer as the parade moved through town.
Singer Azuri Senolia said, “We’re here to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and our empowerment to celebrate. We can celebrate everyone no matter your race, your heritage, what you look like, or your abilities. I think everyone wants to enjoy life while we have it!”
Thank you, Betsy! As usual, you captured the happenings with fidelity. It was a fun day. We all sure need the reassurance that a focused, dedicated-to-peace-and -justice community gives us.
---J. Pace