Hundreds of people came to Santa Cruz Monday to honor Martin Luther King Jr., many waving signs, chanting and singing as they made their way down Pacific Avenue. Their message was one of community, activism and support.
Similar marches and events occurred throughout the U.S. for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Meanwhile, 3,000 miles away, newly inaugurated President Donald Trump prepared to enact one of the most aggressive and divisive agendas in modern American politics, with hundreds of executive actions that will affect the environment, LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights, among other things.
Cabrillo College Trustee Adam Spickler said the day to him was about “honor and resistance.”
“They go hand-in-hand with who we’re honoring in this march, and what we’re facing in the world right now,” he said.
While hand-held signs critical of the Trump administration and critical of its policies were common during the short march, the mood overall was one of optimism.
“I just get overwhelmed in a beautiful way when all the people come out,” said Elaine Johnson, president of the Santa Cruz branch of the NAACP. “This is what it’s about. It’s us coming together, collaborating together, not just today; I want us to continue to come together.”
Johnson said that there is still work to be done.
This includes encouraging people to register to vote, and to cast their ballots when elections come around. It also means convincing people to get involved in local politics.
“It’s not a stop-and-start thing,” she said. “When we leave here I want to tell people, ‘go and be of service.’ People need support now more than ever.”
More importantly, Johnson said it is important to look beyond the election results.
“Instead of focusing on what happened back there, what we think may happen, let’s just trust we know from history the things we need to focus on,” she said. “I encourage everybody, give something that’s going to keep you elevated.”
