SEIU Local 721 members marched alongside elected officials, local residents, community leaders and high school marching bands at the 28th annual Kingdom Day Parade in Los Angeles.
“It was a fitting way to honor Dr. King’s tireless work for social and economic justice. I was proud to be out in the streets of South LA with my union sisters and brothers so close to President Obama’s Inauguration Day. We are carrying forward Dr. King’s message of putting working families first.”
-Linda Dent, SEIU 721 Vice President
President Bob Schoonover and Vice President Linda Dent led the procession, which included LA City and County workers and their families, a float decorated with union signs honoring MLK’s legacy, an LA city sanitation truck, and floats from St. John’s Well Child and Family Center and Watts Healthcare Corp. The Caucuses of SEIU 721 organized the local’s participation in the event.
This year’s Kingdom Day Parade happened on Saturday, Jan. 19–two days before the federal holiday–so as not to conflict with President Barack Obama’s inauguration.
Tri-Counties – MLK, Jr. Freedom March in Oxnard
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom March was held on Monday, Jan. 21. Even though President Obama was going through his second inauguration at that very moment, SEIU 721 members, family and community members still marched in solidarity from Oxnard’s Plaza Park.
“I appreciate that as an African-American I can join together with my brothers and
sisters to honor MLK and those who fought for the freedoms I enjoy today while also celebrating the current victories such as my president being elected for a second term and looking towards the future and identifying how I can make tomorrow even better for generations to come.”
-Lanae Facinae, member of SEIU Local 721’s African-American Caucus
Over 600 community members marched, singing “We Shall Overcome.” At times, the line was so long that the beginning of the march was on one verse and another segment of the marching line was on another. The verses may have been a little off, but we all marched united and with one spirit.
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> Martin Luther King Jr. dream is remembered in Oxnard march and celebration (Ventura County Star)