Unity, Prayer at Paducah 'March to the Monument'

Folks came together Monday morning in Paducah to participate in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. March to the Monument. 

A large crowd of people braved sub-freezing temperatures to take part in the ceremony that celebrates the life and legacy of the civil rights icon. In a departure from previous years, participants boarded trolleys at the Robert Cherry Civic Center at 10 a.m. that took them to the Martin Luther King Jr. Monument to pray and hear speakers including Pastor Benessa Sweat of Burks Chapel AME Church speak about Dr. King's legacy. 

Sweat said it's important for young people to remember the sacrifices others have made in the fight for equality.

"We feel like we have that right to sit where we want to sit just because of who we are. Oh no young folks, you must understand, somebody shed blood for you. Somebody was arrested for you. Somebody took a bullet for you. That's why Dr. Martin Luther King has this day. Simply because he fought the good fight." Sweat said.

Paducah-McCracken County NAACP Education Committee Chair Corbin Snardon said the march and other activities taking place across the nation are an important show of unity in a divisive time.

"I think it's important for people to come together in support of Dr. King's ideals, especially in this time of vitriolic divisiveness." Snardon said.

Other activities planned for the holiday included an MLK Luncheon, organized by the Paducah/McCracken County Chapter of the NAACP, a youth workshop and pizza party, and the MLK Memorial Church Service at Washington Street Baptist Church.