Civil Rights And Service
King Holiday Provides Platform for Prince Georgians To Act
Photography and Video By Raoul Dennis, Amir Stoudamire, Peggy Morris and Hamil Harris
ALSO, SEE: CELEBRATING KING, CLICK HERE.
They came from Suitland, District Heights, Largo, Upper Marlboro and even Baltimore. They drove Lexuses, Toyotas, Fords, Benzes and in some cases, buses and trains. They were students and families, entrepreneurs and small entourages.
As early as 4 a.m., they began in a Day of Service Jan. 20 inspired by the words and deeds of a man who gave his life in the cause for equality and opportunity for this generation over 50 years ago. In keeping with the call to action, hundreds of Prince Georgians dedicated all or part of their day to honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s message of volunteering to serve in some capacity.
Tyler Skinner, 14, a student at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, said he volunteered at First Baptist Church of Glenarden because “I like to help people. I don’t like to see anybody down. I want to help lift them up.”
Tiffany Graham, mother of four-year-old Riley Williams said: “This is his first parade and I want him to know how special Dr. King was and what he meant.” Graham’s mother, Valerie Younge, drove from Baltimore to join her daughter and grandson in the contingent from Prince George’s County attending the Martin Luther King March in the District.
“We want Riley to grow to be a man of standards and valor,” Younge says of her joy at bringing her grandson to the march. Riley represents the second generation taking to the streets for equality. “I introduced my daughter to activism back when I first came to DC and was working with Marion Barry and the Metropolitan AME Church,” Younge says.
At-Large County Councilman Mel Franklin Hosts Free Turkey Giveaway for MLK Day 2020 (below) For more images, click here. PHOTOS BY PEGGY MORRIS
Younge is a big supporter of County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins whose office organized the nearly 120 residents who gathered at 7 a.m. in Landover to ride buses to the march.
“Today in honoring Dr. King it’s really about two things for me: The ABCs of Kirwan and re-entry,” Hawkins said as the buses were being loaded. “Full citizenship for those who have failed and [who are ] now back to being responsible citizens,” Hawkins said. “This is about the people’s movement to make a difference. Former congressman Elijah Cummings said ‘This is about a future we will never see, but we’re making the investment in our kids and our community.’ We want to make it better by our actions and not just our words.”
ALSO, SEE: CELEBRATING KING, CLICK HERE.
A View From The Scene
Below are videos and images from around the county on Jan. 20 Day Of Service.
