Bethel pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King

Hundreds of people filled the sanctuary to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy on Monday at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.   

 

Dr. Robinson, who was appointed as this year’s keynote speaker, shared his memories of the King as a teen. Robinson was 13 –years-old when King was assassinated in Memphis. He said he did not see community he saw chaos.

 

“Community is larger than geography,” said Robinson. Florida A&M University reflects King’s vision. It is an opportunity to serve as the interim president for FAMU,” Robinson added.

 

Tallahassee contributed to unfolding King’s dream by going down memory lane to revisit significant issues such as the Tallahassee bus boycott, voting and rights.

 

Two FAMU students were arrested for sitting beside a White woman on a segregated city bus. Twenty-one members of the Inter-Civic Council were charged with operating an illegal arranged car pool without franchise. During this time, Reverend C.K. Steele was the pastor of Bethel Baptist Church. Steele led the boycott from May to December 1956.

 

King led a nonviolent march on March 25, 1965 to Montgomery. Then, they marched to Selma. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) campaigned for voting rights.

 

Tallahassee City Commissioner Curtis Richardson made an effort for community involvement.

“We should take participation in the voting process and elect people who have our best interest,” said Richardson.

 

Olivia Thompson, a second-year accounting student from Orlando, Fla. said King deeply supported his beliefs. People should continue to follow in his footsteps in becoming a role model to others.

 

“He died fighting for his non-violent beliefs,” said Thompson.

 

Taniga Dobbins, a second-year political science student from Ft. Lauderdale said the community should organize and protest with a peaceful approach.

 

“King was brave for taking the initiative to uphold nonviolence beliefs,” said Dobbins.

 

For more information contact Bethel A.M.E Church at www.bethelame1865.org.