The University of Memphis chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity will march today at 3 p.m. in memory of one of their fraternity brothers who died serving his community.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is most remembered for his role as one of the forerunners of the civil rights movements, but also for his motivating style of speech as well as his role in the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike that preceded his assassination on this day in 1968.
Today is the Day of Remembrance for King, and the Alphas plan to get involved in recognizing King’s role in the civil rights struggle.
Rashawn Ray, vice president of the University of Memphis chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, said the fraternity acknowledges King as a leader and a brother.
“We’re all black males,” Ray said of the Memphis chapter of Alpha. “We want to do something in (King’s) honor because of his being a civil rights activist.
“His being an Alpha makes us more passionate towards the event. He was a representative of our organization and he represented it well,” Ray said.
Also in relation to King, the Alphas are bringing Jimmie Walker, best remembered for his role as J.J. on the sitcom “Good Times,” to the Rose Theatre at 7 p.m. tonight to speak about King’s legacy and other topics, which Ray said those who don’t make the march should attend.
“Everyone should want to listen to someone speak about the impact Martin Luther King, Jr. had on the civil rights movement and on our society,” Ray said.
The march, which is open to everyone, will begin at the University Center at 3 p.m. From there, marchers will trek across campus collecting donations for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument to be erected in Washington, D.C.
Memphis’ alumni chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha will also march in King’s memory tomorrow. Members of the chapter will be at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees building, located at 485 Beale St., at 4 p.m. for the march to the Civil Rights Museum, which is sponsored by the Memphis Housing Authority.
The March ends at 5:15 p.m. and will be followed by a candle light vigil at 5:30 p.m. at the museum.
Voices for Peace, an anti-war campaign of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, will host a potluck at 6:30 p.m. and a meeting at 7 p.m. in the Peace and Justice Center meeting room at 1000 S. Cooper.
