WASHINGTON– Worries about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday being overshadowed Monday by the presidential inauguration prompted local organizers in Washington, D.C., to hold their 20th Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade on Saturday.
The event — held indoors for the first time in its history because of frigid weather — was as much about commemorating King’s legacy as it was about encouraging the hundreds attending to give back to their community.
Equine therapy for mental health
Latoya Price lays out business cards at the 20th annual DC MLK peace walk and parade at the Entertainment and Sports arena in Washington, DC on Jan 18. Credit Allie Litzinger.
Latonya Price, 52, runs a local non-profit profit organization called Saddle up 4 Fun. It provides equine therapy to at-risk youth, veterans, those previously incarcerated, and first responders. She participated in the event to promote the work of her organization.
The programs bring individuals out to her farm. Equine therapy consists of walking, grooming, bonding and riding horses and ponies. She also provides art therapy with her pony. People can paint and draw on the pony to relax and have a good time.
“The pony just absolutely loves the attention,” said Price.
“I allow individuals with reentry to come out to the farm and help with the hay,” she said. “It’s something for them to do until they are able to get a job.
“I’m getting emotional, they’ve done really well and I’m really proud,” said Price.
Price also works with children experiencing bullying. “When they get on that horse and they’re riding, how their confidence goes back up, it’s just awesome,” she said.
She says the kids come back again and again with better attitudes. “I don’t know what it is, it’s the magic within the horses,” she added.
Prices’s work fits with the King’s message and the MLK Day, which is celebrated on the third Monday of January — close to the civil right’s leader’s birthday — by federal, state and local governments, institutions and various industries.
For some, the holiday is just that — time off from work or school. But, King’s family and others carrying on his legacy of equality, justice and non-violent protest want Americans to remember that this holiday is really about helping others.
The local peace walk and parade, held inside the Entertainment and Sports Arena, had all the elements of a celebration of King through speeches, dancing, and music, but, most importantly, it showcased programs that give back to the community.
Helping those struggling with substance abuse
Serena Bradshaw (right) at the 20th annual DC MLK peace walk and parade at the Entertainment and Sports arena in Washington, DC on Jan 18. Credit Allie Litzinger.
Among those giving back was Miami native and Washington, D.C., resident Serena Bradshaw 26, who works as a community mobilizer at DC Prevention Center.
The DC Department of Behavioral Health prevention centers aim to prevent drug use in the community. Their staff provides substance abuse education, addresses what leads to substance abuse, and promotes drug-free living.
“We brought the youth out so they can show that they are a part of standing up for being drug free,” said Bradshaw.
She says having community involvement and community mobilization is everything in preventing substance abuse.
“The people make the change, so if we come together, we can make a change, but we need to believe it first,” she said.
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