MLK celebration set for Monday, annual march canceled [The Orange Leader, Texas]

Jan. 14--ORANGE -- The annual march to honor the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has been canceled but there will still be a celebration of the man and his legacy.

The Orange chapter of the NAACP has been forced to cancel its annual MLK March because the organization was not able to obtain the necessary paperwork from the NAACP National office to meet with the mandatory requirement from the City of Orange in which all civic groups and organizations must provide liability insurance.

Despite that change, the local NAACP group will hold a Martin Luther King Day Celebration beginning at 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 106 N. Park St. in Orange. The event, which will follow the theme of "Bridging the Gap for the fulfillment of the Dream," will feature greetings and speeches by elected officials and community leaders.

"Our program will have an emphasis on servant leadership," said Jackie Mayfield, interim president of the Orange chapter of the NAACP. "It will focus on the relationship between freedom and education."

Mayfield and others believe observing MLK Day and celebrating his life and legacy is an important event for all people.

"We're just trying to make Orange a better place, in every respect," Mayfield added.

Along with the guest speakers, a special remembrance ceremony will be held to honor those who have made a lasting impact on the Orange community, including John Arnold, Velma Jeter, James A. Roberts and others.

Following the program, soft drink, hot dogs and chips will be served. Sponsoring this year's event are Granger Chevrolet and ComPro Tax. Event coordinators are Jackie Mayfield and Franklin Gans.

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