Jan. 18, 2010

RUSTON - Student-athletes and coaches representing Louisiana Tech University joined hundreds of others as they participated in a Unity March Monday morning honoring the memory and works of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

In upwards of 1,000 individuals from various backgrounds, age groups, cultures and races participated in the Ruston event, singing songs and holding signs as they were escorted by local police on their route.

As the various service groups, church organizations, area businesses, university organizations and individuals set off from the Thomas Assembly Center for the march, which took them along Alabama Avenue to the Ruston Civic Center, those in the crowd couldn't help but remember the man they honored.

"It was a good experience," said Tech senior guard Jamel Guyton. "It felt like we were marching like they used to do when Martin Luther King Jr. was still alive with all the signs and signing. It was a very different feeling, but one that made me feel good."

Guyton joined his Bulldog basketball teams and members of the Lady Techster basketball team as the grand marshals for the event. Senior forward Magnum Rolle and junior forward Adrienne Johnson served as the banner holders and led the procession during the 25-minute march.

"I enjoyed it," Johnson said. "What does it mean to me? It means we have come a long way from the time where there were so many struggles. We have overcome a lot to be able to do what we do today."

Upon arriving at the Ruston Civic Center, the marchers then joined hundreds of more members of the community for the eighth annual Martin Luther King Day Ecumenical Observance which featured keynote speaker Rev. Carmelita Pope Freeman, who is regional community relations director for the U.S. Justice Department.