Palm Springs celebrates 34th annual tribute of Martin Luther King Jr.
The city of Palm Springs hosted their 34th annual special tribute on Sunday afternoon in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
News Channel 3 attended the event and spoke to attendees and speakers about the significance of Dr. King in light of our nation's political climate.
"Speeches that he has made about all of us coming together in unity," said Jarvis Crawford. "If you look around next to you right now, you see the unity that we have here."
Jarvis Crawford, Chairman of the City of Palm Springs Commemoration Committee, leaded the celebration in remembering the legacy of the slain civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He pointed out how far we have come.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident...that all men are created equal," said Martin Luther King Jr.
Charlie Ervin, a Palm Springs native, came with his son to recognize the change brought by Dr. King's historic words and actions.
"His willingness to never give up. Just his willingness to keep going at it and have some sort of strength and also his peace," said Ervin.
Ervin said his family comes every year to the annual commemoration and this year he wanted to step up.
"I would just hope that my son always keeps the tradition and understands the history that we have here in Palm Springs all the way back to section 14," said Ervin.
Geoff Kors, Mayor of Palm Springs, encouraged the community to learn from M.L.K and the example he set despite incidents of violence and hatred.
"When we all come together, there's so much more that units us than divides us but in this political climate we're dealing with," said Kors. "We need to come together and commemorate a true hero."
Jeff Grubbe, Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, was a guest speaker who emphasized on the progress he has seen so far and his hope for the next generation.
"We have alot of good people in this valley especially young ones and they are going off to college," said Grubbe. "Hopefully they come back to make this community even better."
