NAACP Eugene-Springfield branch holds MLK Jr. Day march

An untold number of people marched earlier today in honor of Martin Luther King Ji day as reporter Aaron Ariano shows us sharing the same day as the inauguration played a role in today's messaging. Last year's March was canceled due to that historic ice storm, now even with those 25° temperatures early this morning, the local NAACP is not letting anything stop them from honoring this holiday.

"It's cold but it's not iced over" Deon Hawkins is the president of the Eugene Springfiled NAACP. He says the turnout for this Martin Luther King Jr Day March appears a lot larger than years past. Martin Luther King Jr day being on the same day as president Trump's inauguration is top of mind.

"Let's just be honest you know there's two different types of messages out there one is going to be of division sand this one is going to be of of how do we unify and be together how do we you know be the community you know that that uh that thrives and responds together." - Deon Hawkins

After more than a mile march from the Autzen Stadium to the Shedd Institute participants heard from guest speakers dance to gospel music and held a panel with elected officials. Charles Dalton. says this holiday continues to inspire everyone to become better. "It's really important that we all care more about the content of our character rather than the color of our skin and that was his message and that message is valuable today cause that work is not finished yet." - Charles Dalton