CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Students at Florida Gulf Coast University say they felt a sense of pride honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today at the Walk To Freedom.
“You feel honored to give the message and I did,” said Joshua Snelling, an FGCU student.
Gathering in solidarity 6 ft apart and with masks on students listened to speeches and sang songs saying it does not matter how you celebrate but just as long as you do.
“We have a small voice but together that voice is heard. Somehow one way or another and just with everybody marching and the 3 of us singing, bringing your own form of art in and giving your voice not just verbally but in presence rings volumes,” said Snelling.
Due to the Covid, -19, pandemic Collier County's NAACP President Vincent Keys says he also struggled with the decision to cancel The 24th Annual MLK Day Celebration in Naples but he had to in order to keep people in his community safe. Keeys says families at home can honor Dr. King's legacy this year in more ways than one, starting with a simple conversation about Dr. King's life.
“For them to understand some of the events that took place back then, Montgomery, Selma the peaceful protests that took place. Even just cleaning up maybe your neighborhood, or helping the elderly or providing updates on the Covid virus situation. Let it transform directly into your heart,” said Vincent Keeys, President of the NAACP Collier County.
While many events are canceled there will be some taking place in Fort Myers this weekend. For a list of those events honoring Dr. King be sure to visit the Dunbar Festival Committee Facebook page.
