Lincoln students brave bitter cold to march for MLK Day

Monday morning, on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln children marched, chanting “I am somebody” through downtown Lincoln.

They also sang songs of freedom and spoke of triumphant efforts to end inequality; honoring the legacy of Dr. King Jr.

“Some battles he fought were over the same things that are happening now we need LGBTQ rights and rights for everyone including immigration rights and we’re just fighting those same battles and we can’t stop until we get them,” Southwest High School Senior Jaden Ferguson said.

They marched from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln student union to the Nebraska State Capitol, braving below–zero windchills without a second’s hesitation.

“People who marched in the 60’s, they were marching with hoses and dogs and a lot of violence and my mentality is I can make it through 16 degree weather,” Lincoln High School junior Azcia Fleming said.

With the goal of shedding light on the impact children had on the civil rights movement.

“I think about 1963 and the Birmingham Children’s March, they transformed the movement,” Pete Ferguson, adult coordinator for the rally said. “It wasn’t until they became involved that people said you know what I can identify what that seven year old.”

That was the theme of Monday’s event, “Let the Children March.”

With Belmont Elementary students performing a skit outlining the start of that march in Birmingham so long ago.

“Yes we are young,” they said. “But we are not too young to want our freedom, let the children march, they will lead the way!”

And they did march. But said their movement isn’t just about Monday’s event, but empowering youth to speak up all year round.

“Your voice is important and youth, no matter who tries to put you down and say you’re immature, you have a voice and others need to listen because not only are we the future, but we are the now,” Fleming said.

Pete Ferguson adding that that message is one of many dreams of Dr. King Jr.

This is an annual event. Children from every age and all schools are invited to join in. They meet weekly from October until the rally.

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