By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk and Parade returns to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 18, marking its 20th year. In 2025, the event will be held in conjunction with the sixth Annual MLK Holiday D.C. Health and Wellness Fair. Both events, slated for Saturday, Jan. 18, will be held indoors this year at the Entertainment and Sports Arena, located at 1100 Oak Dr. in Southeast D.C. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Doors open to the public at 10:30 a.m.
The signature event traces its roots to 1979 when a parade was held under the direction of three prominent civic leaders in D.C. – United Black Fund co-founder, Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, his wife, Councilmember Wilhelmina J. Rolark and community activist and radio personality, Ralph “Petey” Greene.
Stuart Anderson and Denise Rolark Barnes, co-chairs for the Jan. 18 events, said this year’s theme, “Commit to the Noble Struggle for Equal Rights,” is fitting considering the upcoming return of former president Donald Trump to the White House.
The 20th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk and Parade will take place indoors at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Southeast D.C. on Jan. 18. (Courtesy photo)
“While so much has changed since we started holding the Peace Walk and Parade 20 years ago, Blacks remain in a continuous struggle for civil rights, health rights – equal rights,” Barnes said. “The need to continue the fight was amplified during the last presidential election and should serve as a reminder to us all that we must stay focused and remember, as the saying goes, ‘until all of us are free, none of us are free.’”
With Congress recently certifying the results of the 2024 presidential election on Monday, Jan. 6 – this time without the drama and violence which marred the normally peaceful event in 2020 – Anderson said Dr. King’s words of wisdom can be relied upon as we face the uncertainty of the new administration.
“As we make final preparations for this year’s annual King peace walk and parade and health and wellness fair, which have several changes including moving to an indoor venue and a change in the traditional date because of the presidential inauguration (Jan. 20), we hope our efforts will illustrate the importance of keeping Dr. King’s legacy alive for generations both born and unborn,” Anderson said. “While Dr. King remains one of the most important figures in the Civil Rights Movement, there are some children who don’t even know what he lived and died for. Even a lot of older African Americans are unaware of the successes that were achieved in the struggle for equal rights both before and after Dr. King’s death including the passage of the Civil Rights Act and other legislation that secured things like equal rights in housing.”
Barnes agrees – the fight for equal rights continues.
“We have achieved a lot in terms of the laws of the land but in reality, the battle is not over,” Barnes said. “Far too many Blacks have grown complacent which has allowed those who oppose equality for all to regain power and to push America backwards. Like Dr. King, we must keep our eyes on the prize and remain on guard for any efforts or plans that would hinder progress.”
Anderson, echoing the thoughts of his co-chair, shared his favorite King quotation.
“Dr. King once said, ‘silence is betrayal,’ and I am a firm believer that all Americans, Blacks especially, must speak out on the negative things that are occurring within our community and in the world,” Anderson said. “That’s what Dr. King would do.”
The MLK Peace Walk and Parade and Health and Wellness Fair, which will also include parade performances with a reviewing stage, free groceries and local merchandise and a student essay competition awards ceremony honoring youth leaders, are free to the public but require registration. For more information, visit www.mlkholidaydc.org.
