OXNARD MARCH, RALLY HONOR KING; EVENTS CELEBRATE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER.Byline: David Greenberg The creator of this article, or someone who has substantially contributed to it, may have a conflict of interest regarding its subject matter. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. Daily News Staff Writer Gathered under one roof, sheltered from an early morning chill, some 600 politicians, preachers, parents, gospel singers and community leaders celebrated the life of one of America's most cherished spiritual leaders. The many races of Ventura County came together for the 12th annual federal observance of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, to recognize the gains in the civil rights movement over the last 30 years and to continue the fight for racial equality. ``We need to remember and celebrate the life of a great American,'' said Oxnard Mayor Pro Tem [Latin, For the time being.] An abbreviation used for pro tempore, Latin for "temporary or provisional." A person who acts as a temporary substitute serves pro tem. Bedford Pinkard, the event's organizer. ``He was the right person at the right time to bring a message to Americans about equal rights.'' King was assassinated as·sas·si·nate tr.v. as·sas·si·nat·ed, as·sas·si·nat·ing, as·sas·si·nates 1. To murder (a prominent person) by surprise attack, as for political reasons. 2. on the balcony of a Memphis, Tenn., hotel April 4, 1968. He would have been 69 last Thursday. The observance began with 250 people marching nearly a mile from Plaza Park to the Performing Arts Center A performing arts center, often abbreviated PAC, is a multi-use performance space that can be adapted for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre. , where they were joined by some 350 others for two hours of song, prayer, recognition and poetry readings. The day's theme was ``Our Children - The Heart of the Dream.'' Although the civil rights movement has made noticeable gains in the past three decades, there has been a noticeable level of complacency among African-Americans in recent years, Pinkard said. ``There have been too many (African-Americans) who think we have arrived,'' he said after the march. ``They stopped living Dr. King's dream.'' LaTunya Clark, this year's Miss Oxnard USA, spoke of the fear and uncertainty she faced when she began entering pageants in 1990, and how a child's dream Child's Dream (Child’s Dream Association) - non-profit charity organization for helping underprivileged children in the Mekong Sub-Region, incorporated in Switzerland, Canton Zurich and based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. needs parental support. ``Stand behind your children in their endeavors unconditionally,'' Clark said. ``No one can steal your dream unless you are willing to give it up without a fight.'' Keynote speaker Fannie Tatum Hawkins, a Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. poet and author, urged youths to work hard in pursuit of their goals. ``You cannot get something for nothing,'' she said. Numerous whites, Asian-Americans and Latinos also attended the celebration, weaving themselves into the community's racial fabric. Fred Littman, 80, a member of the Baha'i faith, came from Camarillo. ``The founder of Baha'i taught that mankind is one,'' Littman said. ``This is the time when oneness has to be recognized and put into practice.'' Nate Pumphrey, 16, of Camarillo, said she joined the march to express an anti-violence sentiment. ``We're marching for the freedom of colored people (and) of everybody so there can be peace,'' she said. Said Kandis Blue, 16, of Oxnard: ``I'm marching to celebrate diversity, to bring everybody together.'' CAPTION(S): 3 Photos PHOTO (1--Color) Anjelique Cropper CROPPER, contracts. One who, having no interest in the land, works it in consideration of receiving a portion of the crop for his labor. 2 Rawle, R. 12. , 5, of Oxnard, left, and Lacee Knapp, 3, of Santa Paula Santa Paula (săn`tə pôl`ə), city (1990 pop. 25,062), Ventura co., S Calif., on the Santa Clara River in a fertile valley that yields citrus fruits, avocados, vegetables, flowers, nursery products, and walnuts; laid out 1875, inc. play during the event. (2--Color) Members of the MLK MLK Martin Luther King MLK Milk MLK Medialess License Kit Children's Choir perform Monday at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center after about a mile march was held. (3) A march and rally to honor slain civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. drew hundreds to the streets of Oxnard. Michael Owen Baker/Daily News |
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