2019 Youth Rally and March: We the Children Will March

Planning committee and community stakeholders invite the community to attend the 24th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Rally and March to be held on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019.

The Youth Rally & March is organized by a diverse group of area youth held in conjunction with the national recognition of the birthday of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. All components are intended to celebrate his legacy and the mission of the planning committee: “…promotion of the life and dreams of the late Rev. Dr. King, Jr. and longtime local civil rights leader Dr. Leola Bullock through positive youth action.”

This year’s theme is “We the Children WILL March!”

“Our theme calls not only youth but adults to action and demands that they take action to shape this country into land that they love,” said Azcia’ Fleming, planning committee member, Lincoln High School.

The 24th experience will include content to inspire, educate, and entertain, having something for those four to ninety years of age.

The day’s events will begin in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Ballroom with the Pre-Rally Community celebration emceed by J Roach of J Roach Presentations. Doors will open at 8:15 a.m. with face-painting, interactions with Lil Red & Herbie Huskers and much more.

The Pre-Rally program will begin at 9:00 a.m. in with performances by the Belmont Elementary School Choir, Lincoln High Cheer and annual “I Am Somebody” pledge and more. The Pre-Rally will be followed by the “Unifying March” at 9:50 a.m. through the streets of downtown Lincoln, climaxing with the annual “Call to Action” program beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. (or when unifying marchers arrive at the State Capitol Building).

The “Call to Action” program will include content intended to inspire, educate and entertain. Area youth will present and perform original and adapted youth work including but not limited to; Belmont TRACKS scholars of Belmont Elementary School (Lincoln) performing a choral reading of Let the Children March; Letter to the Editor by Faith Venable of St. John school; Class of 2019 Fly Black Girl Fly by Southwest High School senior Jaden Ferguson; Youth Rally & March Preamble; Mallory Retzlaff (Waverly High School) Ain’t I a Child an adaptation of Sojourner Truth “Ain’t I a woman;” annual Community Stakeholder recognition; youth keynote by Sophia Olson, Azcia and Makhi Fleming (Lincoln High); youth music performance; unveiling of the 2020 25th anniversary community project and much more.

For additional information contact Peter Ferguson, Adult Adviser, at mlkyouthrally93@yahoo.com or 402.730.8709. Updates can also be received on the Rally and March Facebook page or Twitter @MRally93.

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