By Jonathan L'Ecuyer
ROCKPORT — What started as one little girl's dream to honor a slain civil rights leader immortalized for his dreams, continues Monday, with the 21st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Justice Rally.
Organizers from the Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport said they expect to see a healthy crowd come out in support of the event, despite forecasts predicting snow.
On average, between 40 and 50 people take part in the annual rally, and this year, organizers are requesting people bring a contribution for the church's food bank. But it was then-8-year-old Lily Ruchman who started the march at a small level in her neighborhood more than two decades ago.
"It was the dream of an 8-year-old, really," church organizer Susan Beattie said.
Lily's mother, Anita, approached the Unitarian Universalist Society when the mother-daughter duo decided they wanted to transform the neighborhood tradition into a larger community event.
Falling just a day before the nation's first African-American president is sworn into office, Beattie said this year's rally will certainly carry an extra special meaning for all marchers.
"Our first African-American president, it's astonishing;" Beattie said. "Twenty-one years ago it was something we had hoped for, but for it to be realized, it really is astonishing."
Beattie said all are welcome to join the festivities, which begin at 9:30 a.m. when the marchers will make banners at church at 4 Cleaves St.
At 10 a.m., a march will proceed through downtown Rockport, starting and ending at the church. Participants will have a chance to warm up after the march with complimentary hot cider served at a "gather-in" where people will talk about the memory of Dr. King and what the rally means to them.
There is no backup date for the rally. If weather forces a cancellation, there will be a message to that effect on the church phone answering system at 978-546-2989 by 6 p.m. tomorrow.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
IF YOU GO
What: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 21st Annual Peace and Justice Rally
Where: Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport, 4 Cleaves St., Rockport, Ma.
When: Monday, Jan. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to noon
Events: Banner-making from 9:30 to 10 a.m., march through Rockport center at 10 a.m. Hot cider in the church follows the march.
