ORANGE —
The largest crowd in years gathered as one to honor a man whose legacy life and work will never be forgotten.
A vocal crowd of nearly 300 adults and children spent much of Monday morning walking the streets of Orange as part of the annual march in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event, sponsored by the Orange chapter of the NAACP, began at Turret Road and Second Street as participants walked all the way to the Orange County Courthouse while singing songs of inspiration, carrying signs and photos and waving to those who lined the streets in support.
A brief program was held on the steps of the Orange County Courthouse and featured speakers Essie Bellfield, former Mayor of the City of Orange, and Dr. Jackie Mayfield, president of the Orange chapter of the NAACP.
Bellfield has always been an inspirational figure in the community, and she showed why by voicing her concerns and her hopes for those in attendance, especially the youth.
“People need to vote. It’s our right and we need to use it,” Bellfield said to the crowd. “Your grandparents and parents didn’t have the right to vote, but you do. I carry three things with me all of the time, and one of them is a voter registration card. People need to understand how important being able to vote is.”
She also encouraged “young people” to study hard in school and to get a good education because knowledge is power and it can only help build a better community and world.
Dr. Jackie Mayfield also focused his comments on the youth and young adults in attendance on Monday.
He encouraged the young people to seek greatness and learn about their history and heritage.
“Learn about your legacy and know who you are,” Mayfield said. “Make your country great with your culture.”
He also encouraged them to continue to use intellect and words against the war on injustice and to refrain from violent acts in those battles.
“There will always be injustice,” Mayfield added. “But you must be a warrior and fight with your mind, not physically. That should always be the last resort.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
The biggest march in years in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took place in the streets of Orange on Monday as approximately 300 people walked from Turret Road and Second Street to the Orange County Courthouse on Monday. See more photos in the photo gallery. Tommy Mann Jr.
-
Essie Bellfield, a former mayor of the City of Orange and key figure in the community, addressed the crowd gathered at the courthouse following the march on Monday morning. Tommy Mann Jr.
Discussion
Hundreds gather to honor legacy of MLK
- Local News
-
-
Forensically speaking....
Liz Foshee, a member of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and its Criminal Investigations Division, spoke recently at Vidor High School to Carrie Willette’s Forensic Science classes and Tammy Landry’s Criminal Law classes.
-
Masquerade at the Mansion for BC Junior-Senior Prom
Bridge City High School held its annual Junior-Senior Prom on Saturday, May 11, at The Brown Center in Orange.
-
Suspect located in April animal cruelty case
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has a suspect in an animal cruelty case that stems from 15 dead cows found on April 15.
-
The winner is...
Bettie Morrow is the winner of this beautiful painting presented on May 7.
-
Speaking of accomplishments....
Travis Maines, principal of Vidor High School and a member of the Vidor Rotary Club, served as the Rotary club’s guest speaker recently.
-
Singing the hits...
The Vidor Middle School Choir presented its annual End of the Year concert for family members, friends, students and staff recently.
-
Shangri La to hold Memorial Day event
Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center will host a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 27.
-
Orange Police investigate burglary, stabbing
A 9-1-1 call at approximately 11 p.m. Wednesday in the area of 6th Street and Cheery Ave. led Orange Police Department to discover a man with multiple stab wounds lying in the street.
-
Orange resident becoming king of ‘Ts’
It all started with a dollar.
-
Memorial Day weekend closings announced
All non-essential government offices for local cities and the county will be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day.
- More Local News Headlines
-
