EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) -- On the same day the nation watched President Barack Obama being sworn in for his second term, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was honored.
Hundreds gathered for the annual MLK march in Eugene today and the event brought some pretty big names to town. Danny Glover, Quinton Aaron and Ray J were just a few of the guests at today's celebration.
The event started with the march. Hundreds gathered outside Autzen Stadium and Eugene Police led the way as the crowd marched to The Shedd Institute in downtown Eugene. People held signs with messages of peace, while others sang songs, like 'This Little Light of Mine'.
Organizers say the event is all about love and respect, not for one group of people, but respect for all.
"Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for everybody, not just one group of people, and that's what this is about today,” says Rachel Parra, the Vice President of the NAACP of Lane County. “That's what every one of these young folks, or whoever's out there performing, that's their message to everybody. That why we're here. We're standing strong because of what he did."
The gathering at The Shedd was free to those who participated in the march. There were many musical performances and speeches. There was also a slideshow with historic images of the civil rights leader, accompanied with some of Dr. King's famous words.
Community members involved in the celebration said this was the biggest turnout the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. march had ever received.
