Opelika holds annual Martin Luther King Jr. walk, leaders and residents recall long-running tradition

Mayor John Taylor and residents joined Opelika’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. walk on MLK weekend, honoring a decades-old local tradition that participants said was started by a former commissioner named Kelly.

The event, described by participants as a walk rather than a parade, has continued for ‘‘over 40 years,’’ one speaker said, and aims to mark the civil-rights leader’s legacy while bringing community members together. ‘‘Good morning, city of Opelika. This is Mayor John Taylor. We are here at our annual MLK walk. This walk was started by our late commissioner, Ollie B. Kelly, and we are keeping her vision,’’ Taylor said.

Speakers at the event emphasized the communal and intergenerational nature of the gathering. One participant said the walk brings ‘‘young people, old people like me’’ together to ‘‘move hope forward when we move together.’’ Another attendee offered a personal reflection on civil-rights history: ‘‘At the age of 13, I attended the funeral of Doctor. King,’’ the speaker said. A separate participant offered a short prayer and said, ‘‘Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. I woke up this morning so I can be part of the celebration that we're having here in Opelika.’’

Organizers and speakers framed the annual observance as a local way to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call for freedom and rights. Participants repeatedly referred to the event as a ‘‘walk’’ rather than a parade, and described it as rooted in local civic memory and family tradition.

Details about the event’s route, organizers, estimated attendance, and any city permits were not specified in the available remarks.