Message of unity shared in Amory MLK event

Amory, MS. (WCBI) – Amory celebrated MLK Day a day early. It was a bit more than a celebration. Amory leaders had a timely message to share.

Starting at West Amory Elementary and loudly winding through town, the members of the MLK event motorcade had a message.

“Bringing it to one central place and say, ‘everybody come,'” said Elbrist Mason.

That place was the Carter’s Chapel Church of the Living God.

Lois Darden said she’s helped organize the MLK Observance program for more than 30 years.

This year’s theme was unity.

“Unity is important because we are all created by God, and God made us all one,” said Darden.

She said more black churches have joined the celebration in recent years, but she wished for more diversity in the crowd of attendees.

“Martin Luther King did not only give his life for blacks, he gave it for whites, indians, and everyone,” said Darden.

She’d like to see some younger faces, too.

“We need to pull together and let our youth know what he went through.”

With so much division in our world, she hopes this message of unity can at least make a difference, here at home.

“We need to be nice to everyone, we need to show respect, and we need to love everyone.”

President Ronald Reagan signed the MLK Holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later.