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Many people stood on the sidewalks to watch the diverse crowd march west along Market Street in downtown St. Louis. Participants march along Grand Boulevard to Powell Symphony Hall for the Interfaith Service. Michael Clark, age five, waits for the march to begin. Diane Clark, Michael's mother, proudly stated that "he has learned a lot about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from school and because I've taught him about black history. He's been to the Martin Luther King Museum in Atlanta and in Memphis." St. Louis Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Photos by Bob Moore © 2003, St. Louis Front Page ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), January 20, 2003 - Hundreds of people, including religious leaders, local dignitaries and city officials, gathered in the rotunda of the Old Courthouse, Monday morning, to remember and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The 33rd metropolitan St. Louis observance, with the theme - 'The Struggle Continues...Building a Safe Community' - began with a solemn civic ceremony featuring music, scripture readings and speeches. Outside, the Old Courthouse, several thousand people waited in anticipation to begin the annual march to Powell Symphony Hall on Grand Blvd for the Interfaith Service. Numerous signs bearing the message of Dr. King were held proudly by individuals and members of various religious and civic organizations. Once marchers reached Powell Hall, they received tickets to enter the building. Parti cipants were guided to their seats by youthful members of the Top Teens of America, St. Louis Chapter. In the lobby of Powell Hall, Richard Dockett, parade marshall since 1968, spoke with St. Louis Front Page about the significance of the march. "There are over several thousand strong today. We continue to keep the 'Dream' alive and continue to march for justice, jobs and equality," said Dockett. "We will continue to do so until we reach that dream of Dr. King for peace for all people. So that little black children and little white children can walk together, hold hands together and work together to develop a better world," Dockett continued. Some marchers carried signs protesting war and President Bush. "I think this is precisely what Dr. King was about," responded Dockett when asked if King's dream is being over showered with the present day turmoil. "If you recall, Dr. King spoke out against the injustices that was occuring to people in general. There were those in the religious community and other that were telling Dr. King that he should be neutral and shouldn't be involved in this," said Dockett. He commented that signs protesting war and President Bush had everything to do with the peace movement. "Dr. King, of course, was one of the very first ones to speak out against the war in Vietnam," noted Dockett. "He knew that a disproportionate number of those soldiers and people that would loose their lives and that would be placed in harm's way were black people and poor people and people that benefited the least from this American dream." "War is not the answer. Peace and justice is. We need to provide educational opportunities and jobs and equal access for all American citizens," concluded Dockett. Marchers carry sign featuring non-violence messages. Numerous religious and civic organizations participated in the march. Top Teens St. Louis Chapter The Interfaith Service at Powell Symphony Hall featured music, scripture lessons and the Honorable Maggie W. Glover, (D) South Carolina State Senator, as the keynoter speaker. All Photos © 2003 Bob Moore SLFP.com Archived Stories: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday 2002 Honors Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration 2001 Bank of America Funds MLK Celebration 2000

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