Several hundred NSB residents march in celebration of MLK Day

Courtesy photos / Angela Carter Several hundred people march from the predomintly black Westside Community to downtown New Smyrna Beach, along the way crossing the Dr. Msarin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge in honor of MLK Day with a formal remembrance program at Old Fort Park on Sams Avenue.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Larry Chisolm was among the first generation of African Americans to attend the newly integrated Faulkner Street Elementary School in the early 1970s. Today while thousands of New Smyrna Beach residents enjoyed the extended holiday weekend, he and several hundred others marched in celebration of Martin Luther King Day.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. Larry Chisolm, 51, poses for the camera with his daughter, Carressa, 24, and her daughter, Ny'lah, 2, following the MLK festivities.

Chisolm, 51, said he has marched over the years as an example to his children and grandchildren, to keep the message of King's dream alive, having grown up in a segregated community as a child when the national leader marched throughout the South.

Though the schools have long since integrated there are still many inequities that need to be addressed locally and nationally in terms of jobs and economic opportunities, he said.

"I think we should have a lot more minority businesses here (and) there's not much here for kids to do, especially on this side of town," said Chisolm, who parked his vehicle up the street from the Alonzo Babe James Center, in the epicenter of the Westside.

Chisolm was plreased to see more children in today's mid-morning march than in year's past so they could hear from the older generations of King's dream.

NSBNEWS.net photos by Henry Frederick. Pastor Pete Carter leads the MLK crowd in prayer at the Old Fort Park.

Pastor Pete Carter of the Bethel Baptist Church told a gathering of close to 400 people at Old Fort Park that it's not enough to hear King's dream, but to make it a reality, not only for themselves, but for thei families, friends and neighbors.

"We have to challenge people not to get complacent," Carter said. "We all need to reach out and find our true potential."

"Pastor Pete" as he is known throughout the religious community, along with several other ministers prayed for peace and justice.

The Rev. Lorenzo Laws of the Allen Chapel AME on Sheldon Street was emphatic in that message that living the MLK dream means everyone must "wake up" to it and make it their reality.

Pastor Adewale of Adewumi Mount Olive Primitive Mission Church is all smiles after the MLK festivities.

Though the vast majority of the crowd was African American, there were more whites at the celebration than in years past and that had the ministers, especially feeling energized.

"This is a great day for everyone," said pastor  Adewale Adewumi Mount Olive Primitive Mission Church.

Mayor Adam Barringer, seated to the right n this photo, with others on the platform, including former Commissioner Oretha Bell, second from left,  told the crowd he was "honored" to speak about MLK.

Mayor Adam Barringer was among a handful of city officials who took part in the March and gathering at the park, among them former Mayor Sally Mackay, Vice Mayor and Commissioner Lynne Plaskett, Assistant City Manager Khalid Resheidat, Police Chief Ron Pagano and police Cmdr. Bill Drossman in full uniform.

Mayor Barringer told the crowd he was honored and humbled to "pay tribute to such a great leader in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr."

At far left, people listen to the speakers. At right, they hold hands during a prayer during the MLK outdoor service.

Former City Commissioner Oretha Bell and fellow NSB resident Chet O'Bannon lead the crowd in song and prayer. Below is the MLK program cover.