CATSKILL— Catskill High School’s Interact Club and the community celebrated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at the 22nd annual March for Peace and Justice on Tuesday.
More than 100 people paid tribute to King and other fallen civil rights heroes in a tradition held every February to coincide with Black History Month.
This year was the first the march started and ended on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, also known as West Main Street.
Like years before, marchers from Catskill High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter, elementary school Student Council and business clubs, community groups and members met at the Second Baptist Church at about 5 p.m. where the march kicked off.
The Celebration of Life and march started 22 years ago when Richard Muggeo, Edward Synan and Lorainne Ferrara, all previous teachers and Interact Club advisors attended a march in Albany and they wanted to bring the event to the village and Catskill community.
At the church, Bee Blauberg spoke about the reasons for meeting at the church.
“During the Civil Rights Movement, organizers of civil disobediences met at local churches where they asked the Lord for his protection and blessing before they marched off to face Bull Connor (the Birmingham, Alabama, commissioner of public safety during the 1960s who vehemently opposed the Civil Rights Movement) and his dogs and the fire hoses of public safety,” Blauberg said. “The marchers often returned to their church, not only to lick their wounds, but to assess the effects of their protests and to plan future ones. In memory of the role played by the church, we like our protesters to start the march at a church.”
After Blauberg spoke, Rabbi Zoe Kaz gave a blessing, led a sing-a-long of “Let it Shine” where the lyrics were changed to reflect Catskill, and then the Rev. Shanell Turpin spoke strongly about the church’s involvement.
“Because the church is a beacon of light, power and in a place of God’s power, the reason why the Civil Rights Movement was so powerful for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to lead the movement, was in order for people to withstand the fury persecution of hoses, dogs and lynchings, they needed a power they got through the church.”
As the march got underway, the procession was escorted by members of the Catskill Police Department to the Greene County Courthouse where two students spoke about the significance of the courthouse, then they traveled on to the middle school.
“They often marched to state capitals and courts, tonight we mirror their paths and step to a courthouse,” said Nevaeh Armstead, a student who marched in the event.
As the procession continued, walking onto Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and to the middle school, it was met by more community members, and the Catskill High School Concert Chorus and Treblaires for opening remarks and an in-depth outside ceremony.
Christa Dedrick and Kim Bushane, Interact Club advisors, welcomed everyone at the middle school, followed by the Pledge Of Allegiance from Palenville’s Brownie Troop 5517 members Reece Rock and Riley Dunham.
Catskill Central School District’s Assistant Superintendent Brett Miller gave opening remarks in place of Superintendent Dan Wilson.
“It’s my pleasure to represent the school district,” he said. “Dr. King’s legacy continues to inspire us, serving as a guiding light for justice, equality and unity. Today, we come together to not only commemorate his extraordinary life, but also to reflect the progress we’ve made and all the work that still lies ahead in building more inclusive and harmonious societies.”
Miller’s speech was followed by remarks from Ed Synan and songs from Catskill High School’s Concert Chorus and Treblaires, which performed “Let Justice Roll On,” “Can You Hear” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
Following the songs, was a tribute to King and students from Catskill Elementary and Middle School Business Club sharing what King means to them.
Senior Fabian Rose Bernard recited the famous “I Have A Dream” speech.
High School Principal Junait Shah led a tribute to fallen heroes, including the Rev. Dr. Calvin O Butts III (1949-2022), Moon Landrieu (1930-2022), Cecilia Marshall (1928-2022), Gloria Richardson (1922-2021) and William Fenton “Bill” Russell (1934-2022).
The ceremony at the school ended with the playing of “Taps,” an interfaith benediction from Deacon Ron Dombrowski and Rabbi Zak and ended with a “We Shall Overcome” sing-a-long in memory of those who gave their all during the Civil Rights Movement.
The next annual march is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 25 2025, with a snow date of Feb. 27, 2025.