Despite Martin Luther King, Jr. having delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech more than half a century ago, his dream marched on yesterday in Laramie.
Around mid-afternoon, over a 100 people gathered in front of the Albany County Courthouse, waiting to participate in the 13th annual MLK March. The march was the second event for the event series Days of Dialogue.
Some people made signs as they waited. Others stood in circles carrying signs they brought. And still others stood, heavy-duty staplers in hand, attaching already made signs to stakes. Out of the signs, about 30 of them were made last Friday by volunteers in preparation for the event, Helen Alatorre, Assistant Dean of Students for Leadership Development, said.
The messages on the signs were as diverse as they were plenty. While Laramie man Pete Gardiner, 75, stood protesting the future arrival of an ammunition company, Maverick Ammunition, to Laramie, those to his left and right held signs protesting the unfair treatment of immigrants in America.
“The people of Laramie will be responsible if there is an incident,” Gardiner warned.
Lilia Soto, Assistant Professor of American Studies and Chicano Studies, gave a speech right before the march began.
Standing on the steps of the courthouse, she enumerated King’s accomplishments and his impact and speculated on what he would think if he were alive today. Soto also made clear that King’s dream is ongoing. She noted the inequities of many minority groups. Gays and lesbians, African Americans, and Latinos and Latinas were among the groups noted.
After her speech, people filed onto Ivinson, where two police cars headed a march from the courthouse to the Union.
Towards the front of the pack were Luke Cole and Rachael Winden.
Holding a rainbow flag, Cole said he was “marching as a straight ally of the LGBT community. And working to further what I see as Dr. King’s vision for marriage equality, and equality for all people.”
Winden, also a straight ally, said she was also marching for woman’s rights.
“I think there’s always room for improvement. There is still a long way to go in lots movements,” she said.
Marissa Trujillo, a freshman, also said women’s rights was a big issue for her, “especially in other parts of the world,” she said.
Trujillo marched with two of her friends, senior Danielle Peck and sophomore Ashley Saulcy.
All three said they would march again next year, and all three said they were impressed with the turnout.
Kayla Runkel, the Marketing and Special Events Coordinator at SLICE, said that her job has opened her eyes.
“Obviously this is a part of my job, but I’d have to say that in the year I’ve been in my position, it’s opened my eyes to what kinds of inequalities are in the world right now. We work with it all year long. I am starting to feel for each one of these causes. It’s interesting to see how many people come out and what kind of equality they are interested in.”
“We need to stop talking about it and start doing something,” she said.
One way Runkel was able to “do something” was through her work with the International Justice Mission, where she was able to help in passing a law to prevent sex trafficking.
“Making people aware of issues is wonderful but making people aware of how they can do something is what really makes a difference,” she said.
For those wanting to get involved, Runkels’ advice is simple:
“Come to our office and get signed up for our mailing list, and I’ll send you something every week.”
The march ended with the Willen Standford Supper in the Wyoming Union Ballroom.
