Gallery • 4 Photos

Monday, the Trinity community boarded buses to attend the 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) march hosted by the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. commission. This year’s theme chosen by the MLK commission was, “Together we can be THE dream.”

This is the largest MLK march in the nation, with 300,000 participants in 2020. This year was the first in-person march held since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Participants gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Bridge and stopped at Pittman-Sullivan Park on the East Side.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day became a national holiday in 1986, and the day holds different meanings for many people.

Taylor Black, senior sociology major and president of the Black Student Union (BSU), emphasized the day’s ties to the concept of freedom. “It represents freedom in a peaceful way, and shows how impactful peaceful marches can be,” Black said.

Rocio Delgado, professor of education, connected MLK Day with action. “It’s a day of service, community, togetherness and continuing the fight for civil rights … I wanted to come join the community and bring my kids to be a role model for them and students at Trinity,” Delgado said.

To involve Trinity students, staff and faculty, the student diversity and inclusion (SDIO) team spearheaded the registration process on campus. “It was beautiful to see the eagerness of students, staff, and faculty. It was a smooth transition because … we’re passionate about equity, and it’s nice to see the community advocating as well,” said Kaila Campos, the coordinator of SDIO.

Vendors selling food, like sausage wraps and tacos to marchers were a common sight on MLK drive during the 2.8 mile walk to Pittman-Sullivan park. There were church groups singing and playing the tambourine, and a youth softball team trying to raise money for the upcoming season.

“Everyone looked so happy. Sometimes I feel like Trinity can be in a bubble, and being outside of that bubble was really nice,” Black said. “Coming to the march is a way for us to participate in something bigger than ourselves. I really wanted to be representative [of minorities on campus] and make sure we were seen throughout the march.”

Outside, homeowners on Martin Luther King Drive were playing King’s speeches. “He had one of those voices that just makes you want to listen to him,” said Erin Pake, a first-year music and communications double major.