The annual celebration for Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be held next week.
This year’s event will take place on Jan. 17 at 8 a.m. in Benton. Participants will gather near Berry’s store.
The event is coordinated by Oak Grove A.M.E. Church of Benton and will include walkers, decorated vehicles and floats, ATVs and more.
The church holds a special place in the Civil Rights Movement history. In June 1966, a march for voting rights, en route from Yazoo City to Jackson, camped there while passing through Benton. The marchers, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., were provided food and water by members of the Oak Grove A.M.E. Church and by members of the Woods family, who owned property next to the church.
All are welcome to join the march to Oak Grove on Highway 16.
The MLK Committee also plans to make a donation to the Manna House in the form of paper goods, such as paper plates, towels and tissues. The committee respectfully asks that participants donate these items, which will be collected at the church.
Social distancing and masks will be required.
