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Area residents remembering MLK

Hundreds from the panhandle marched in Amarillo Monday remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK March Participant Bobby Randon says, "It is so special to know that we can meet and be free, and do as each and everyone else. It is such a blessing." Another participant Joseph Hayes says, "I think it's a good thing that we're starting to finally see equality. And especially nonviolent methods of conflict resolutions."

Amarillo NAACP Vice President Iris Lawrence says, "Today is a special day not just because Martin Luther King, but because Obama was inaugurated. And that shows us that Dr. Martin Luther King's dream is becoming a reality. And we as a people, all people, have to continue to work together to make America the country that it should be."

Lawrence says he was a vital instrument in the freedom and equal rights for all races. It's now been about 50 years since Dr. King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech, but Lawrence takes us back.

She says she was born in Amarillo, has lived through segregation, and fought for changes. Lawrence says, "When I started school, our books were still limited at that time. But the NAACP kept fighting... Asking for the water fountains to be integrated because they had colored water fountains and white water fountain. They asked for different things.''

Monday at MLK Park, Amarillo mayor Paul Harpole made a proclamation in Dr. King's memory. He says it is, "To recognize this as Martin Luther King, Reverend Martin Luther King Day. And to recognize the leadership. And how far we've come in the United States to offer equality to everybody."

Jessica Abuchaibe, NewsChannel 10.