MLK March

Written by PC

It started out as a cold and clear morning; but we all had expectations of warming weather and a beautiful day as we gathered in the Northwood parking lot. Bob & Gayle Sharpley, François & Cyndi LaCroix, Martha Sherrod, Susan, Justin, and Jesse Montagna, Peter and his son Justin (from the neighborhood), Patty & Elliott Clark. Waiting for the group at the park-n-ride were Neil Morrison and Norma Roberson.

The first commemorative thing of the day: as we enter the empty bus, François leads us all to the 'back of the bus' where we remember that Rosa Parks did not get up to go to the 'back of the bus.'

The first funny of the day: you can tell we are not seasoned bus riders, when each of our cars pulls into the park-n-ride entrance labeled 'Busses only'. But, we didn't see any other entrance.

After the bus ride down to near the start, we hang for 20-30 minutes. There was a stage setup in front of Martin Luther King Middle School, with some singing. We expected a proclamation of some sort to 'start' the march, but there was none. I can't really say when the march began, as we would start, go 50 yards, then stop, and again several times before it really got going.

Second commemorative thing of the day: a yellow garbage truck leads the parade in symbolism of the garbage strikes in Alabama during the Civil Rights movement.

We comment that there are not as many people as we expected at the start, just a couple of thousand. As we march (actually, stroll), we realize that more and more people have joined the march - from the side streets. A 'growing movement'. A church on the march route has part of their choir singing, and has the crowd join in. For a long way I kept singing the song, but now I have forgotten it.

The 3-mile route passes under IH-10, then under a railroad bridge. Many people have climbed up onto the railroad bridge to get a better view of the crowd. At one point, going up hill, Neil turns to look back - and wow! There is a sea of people as far as you can see in either direction. So much for what we thought was a low turnout!

Third commemorative thing of the day: ISA has Civil Rights history banners along the march route. Patty makes Elliott stop and read each one. We see Molly Montagna holding one of the banners and stop to chat.
Many people along the way have various 'peace' posters. We follow one with John Lennon lyrics. Another protesting the war in Iraq uses the word 'quagmire' which apparently confuses some passers-by.
Second funny of the day: the boys stop for ice cream - it must be 40 degrees!

Finally, we reach the end of the route, the YMCA. The site has a great view of the downtown skyline, the Alamodome, and HemisFair. We hang long enough to get our group back together. Joe Montagna is face-painting at a booth nearby with the ISA Interact Club. A short wait for the bus ride back, and the event is finished.

So, as Northwood begins our 50th anniversary year, the Northwood Hike & Bike has their first outing. Perhaps it is appropriate that our H&B first event is a civil rights march, reminding us to think of others first, before we think of ourselves. May we remember that in the coming year, during our recreational events.

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