Communities honoring Martin Luther King, Jr despite pandemic

COVID-19 has stopped people from celebrating many things this past year, but it can’t stop the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This year Dr. Martin Luther King’s message looms large in the back around of current events. 

News Channel 3’s Dani Romero has more on how people in Coachella Valley are sharing his legacy. 

“It was calm there was at times in our thoughts and in our minds, what this man has represented and what is call was all about," said Regina Robertson, who participated in the unity march.

The unity march looked different than last year. People  from different communities gathered in solidarity, six feet apart with masks on.

“We all came out, it was magnificent, prayed talked about different things we wanted to see in the upcoming year we are just grateful to be part of this day," said Robertson.

The chief of police also joined the walk.  

“Just communicating with him on police brutalities and different things we had to go deal with," said Robertson.

Organizer Pastor Kephyan Sheppard said it is important to remember the late civil rights activist now   

“Looking at what happened at the Capitol a few days ago and looking at what happened over the summer the civil unrest that just exploded not just here but internationally as well," said Sheppard. "I think Dr. King’s words all most proved to be prophetic.” 

Pastor Sheppard told News Channel 3 looking at the world today, we could use Dr. King’s guidance. 

“I think he would encourage us to keep fighting for justice to keep fighting for fairness he once said the riot is a voice of the unheard so I do believe that these protests are voices unheard but I do believe he would condemn the violence along with them," said Sheppard.

But as we have seen in 2020, the fight for equality isn’t easy. 

“A lot of us are saying enough is enough we’re fed up we want different we realized we can’t depend on anyone else we have to make change, we have to do it with ourselves," said Sheppard.

Families at home can also honor Dr. King’s legacy this year in more ways than one, starting with a simple conversation about Dr. King’s life.

“We may honor him one day a year officially but we can honor him literally 365 just by action," said Sheppard.   

Next month is black history month, it's another opportunity for the community to continue Dr. King’s legacy.