About 250 students gathered at the Hale Black Cultural Center to march in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. yesterday.
Among the student body present for the march was a vast array of student leaders in fraternities, minority groups and student government. Those who made the 1.7-mile trek in the freezing cold were greeted by supporters in front of City Hall, adding more than 700 to those in attendance.
Mayor Michael Coleman, along with other prominent city officials, met the group and continued to lead the march all the way to Veterans’ Memorial. Coleman held up a sign reading: “Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Through Service,” throughout the progression.
Earnest Franklin Jr., president of Iota Phi Theta, and minority greek senator for Undergraduate Student Government, decided two years ago to join the City of Columbus in its annual march on the holiday.
“That’s actually a funny story,” Franklin said. “I was sitting at home and had to do a program for my fraternity. An idea of a march came to mind, so we decided to join the city and march to City Hall.
“We’ve been really impressed with the coverage and the publicity, but this is just a beginning,” he said.
Franklin said he hopes to keep King’s spirit alive by the programs they are implementing in his fraternity.
One example is Stepping With Excellence Exceptional Teenagers which is aimed at youths. Members of the fraternity reach out to children from broken homes by volunteering as mentors and counselors.
“There are a couple of situations that more organizations could focus on,” Franklin said. “Often you hear about visiting nursing homes. Those are the simple kind. Organizations need to do more in-depth. African Americans are struggling.”
Jaymia Price, co-director of the USG diversity committee, was excited to see the response within the black community during the march. While many organizations were present, one resounding thought went through Jaymia’s mind: unity.
“I’m excited. It’s great representation from so many organizations. To see the black community united — it’s beautiful,” Price said.
As the group marched down the streets, they could be heard chanting, “The people, united, we’ll never be defeated.”
Guy Mareno, a political science and Spanish major, shared the same enthusiasm.
“Nothing was going to stop me from coming out today,” Mareno said. “So many youth are apathetic. Even if we don’t have that many out here, it makes me happy to see people out there apply for justice and equality.”
Mareno, USG’s director of diversity, helped pass a bill for equality and affirmative action in the organization. He said he wants to raise awareness within the OSU and Columbus communities regarding minority affairs.
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