Students rally for civil rights vision

Urging students to respect Martin Luther King Jr. and honor his memory by taking time off from their classes, Black Student League President Jessica Dixon spoke at a March and Rally for Peace and Justice yesterday afternoon. Dixon, the principal organizer of the Martin Luther King Day campus events, spoke about the need for greater concern about accepting more black students into the University and the honoring of the mayoral scholarships. She discussed King's philosophy and emphasized that he was not a passive man. "He was someone who believed in action. This campus needs more action," Dixon said. Dixon also encouraged students not to attend classes in the future on Martin Luther King Day and to urge others to do so, too. The next speaker, Martin Dias, incoming President of the Black Student League, stressed the need for greater participation in BSL events and initiatives and the debt which students owe to King. "This man died for human justice . . . just so that we could come to this school," Dias said. "So much he did for us and so little we do to repay him." The rally began at Houston Hall and then continued to President Sheldon Hackney's house. There, participants stood singing "We Shall Overcome," improvising verses such as "It is King's Birthday" and "Where is Sheldon Hackney?" The march proceeded to Superblock and back down Locust Walk as ralliers chanted, "Respect the man. Respect the day." The words respect and understanding were used by many students to describe the purpose and tone of the day's events. The rally ended at the house of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity where a reception was held. Both Dias and Dixon said that they were happy about the turnout at the rally, and that the day's events went exceedingly well. Dias said he was inspired by the energy of the people who attended the rally, especially the few graduate students and members of the local community whom he did not know but spotted in the crowd. He emphasized that the day's events would not have been possible without the initiative and hard work of Dixon.

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