Dalton E Tucker Primary School students took to the streets on Monday, for their annual celebration and walk to honour the message of the late Dr Martin Luther King Jr, on the day designated as the MLK holiday.

This year, they were joined by members of the new Progressive Labour Party Cabinet.

A spokeswoman said: “In keeping with the historical message of Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, National Security Minister Wayne Caines offered some words of inspiration and encouragement to students at Dalton E Tucker Primary School.

“To mark the occasion, Minister Caines, Education Minister Diallo Rabain and Tourism Minister Jamahl Simmons participated in the school’s annual MLK Day celebration.

“The observance included a march from the school to Maximart on Hog Bay Level.

“In addressing the students, Mr Caines spoke to the young people about the importance of standing up against bullying, injustice and supporting one another.

“The Minister and his colleagues also highlighted the need for peace and tolerance in our community,” she added.

School organisers noted that the annual event serves as an opportunity to highlight the work and the message of peace of Dr King.

In 1968, four days after Dr King’s assassination, US Congressman John Conyers introduced a Bill to make Dr King’s birthday a national holiday. More than a decade later in 1979, Dr King’s widow, Corretta Scott King testified before Congress in support of the Bill.

In 1981, music legend Stevie Wonder released ‘Happy Birthday as a single, that went on his album ‘Hotter Than July’, which featured a album cover portrait with a collage of images from the Civil Rights Movement.

On the cover, Wonder wrote: “Martin Luther King was a man who had that strength. He showed us, non-violently, a better way of life, a way of mutual respect, helping us to avoid much bitter confrontation and inevitable bloodshed. We still have a long road to travel with until we reach the world that was his dream. We in the United States must not forget either his supreme sacrifice or that dream.”

On November 3, 1983, US President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law, establishing the third Monday of January the Martin Luther King, Jr National Holiday. The first MLK Day was celebrated on January 20, 1986, 18 years after Dr King’s assassination.

  • Photos Courtesy of DCI