facebook-pixel

MLK Day rally and march offer hope for racial justice amid strife

The rally and march to the University of Utah spotlight’s King’s ‘Beloved Community’ message.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) People march down 1300 East celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Meligha Garfield said Monday his emotions were a mixed bag. As director of the Black Cultural Center at the University of Utah, he is grappling with recent racist incidents while also feeling the hope inspired by the annual rally and march for civil rights.

Just last week, the Black Cultural Center faced a bomb threat. Though no explosives were found, the fear and sadness were real, Garfield said.

“I am sad, scared sometimes,” Garfield said, “but also hopeful for the things to come and change not only at the University of Utah, but really the state of Utah and around the country.”

Garfield and about 250 community members gathered Monday at East High School for a rally featuring U. President Taylor Randall; vice president of equity, diversity and inclusion Mary Ann Villareal; state Rep. Sandra Hollins; Gov. Spencer Cox’s adviser on equity Nubia Peña; and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) People march celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

“People here recognize that we have to do this work every day,” Villarreal said. “Today just marks or renews our spirit, our energy that we’re going to go forth to make this a better tomorrow.”

After the rally, the group marched a mile and a half to Kingsbury Hall on the U.’s campus, blocking traffic down 1300 East.

Carolyn Hayden-Garner brought a spark of energy to the march by meeting with others and encouraging chants of “No justice, no peace!” and other slogans common to protests.

To her, the day is not meant to just be a day off from work — it is meant to be a day of action.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) People pose for a photo at Kingsbury Hall after marching to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

“Martin Luther King and many other people, they marched so that we can have a day like today,” Hayden-Garner said. “Why on the day that they have given as a national holiday would we sit at home and do anything else but come out and show our celebration and our gratitude to those that have gone before us?”

The rally and march launched a week of events held by the U.’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Throughout the week, students, faculty and staff will celebrate the life of the civil rights leader while also calling for racial justice and equity.

This year’s theme is “Becoming the Beloved Community,” referencing a tenet of King’s philosophy that all people could overcome differences to see each other as brothers and sisters and to help others despite circumstances.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) People march celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., in Salt Lake City on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.

“The beloved community will mean us coming together and taking care of those that may face injustice, taking care of those that may have been impoverished, taking care of those that may be ... marginalized,” Garfield said.

More than 50 years after King was assassinated, Black people still face the challenges of racism, which Garfield and Villarreal see in their roles at the U. While there has been progress, different policies or ideologies have kept the United States from reaching equality.

“It’s like double Dutch,” Garfield said. “Things come in, things go out.”