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Knox Middle School Hosts MLK Jr. March

Knox Middle School Hosts 46th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. March
Posted on 01/13/2023

More than 800 students from 11 San Diego Unified schools took to the streets on Friday, joining with school staff and district leaders to carry a message of peace, justice and equality in Knox Middle School’s 46th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. March.

Carrying colorful student-made banners and artwork bearing King’s likeness and famous quotes, the crowd marched from the Knox campus through nearby neighborhoods, waving to local residents who came outside to watch and applaud.

Knox principal Heather Potter says the annual event connects students to the legacy of King’s own march for civil rights, which took place in Washington, D.C. nearly 60 years ago.

On August 28, 1963, more than a quarter million people participated in the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, gathering near the Lincoln Memorial. More than 3,000 members of the press covered the historic march, where King delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

That same speech was delivered by middle school students Noelani Maldonado, Zoe Cortez, and Ja’Lynn Sharp at Friday’s event, which also included a live performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as well as dance and drum performances by other student groups.

“This march is so much more than just an event, it’s a true celebration of the legacy of Dr. King,” said San Diego Unified Superintendent Dr. Lamont Jackson.

“Our schools have built this into an annual tradition that’s now woven into the fabric of our community. Walking alongside our students, I was reminded how important it is to create a district that allows every student to thrive and feel a strong sense of belonging.”