Maya McFadden Photos
Pastor Kennedy D. Hampton Sr. on Saturday march, beside father's poster.
The 52nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Love March trekked in 10-degree weather Saturday through the streets of Goatville and Upper State.
Dozens of New Haveners bundled up for the hour-long march, filling the streets with tunes like “We Shall Overcome,” chants for equity, and a communal dream for a just future.
Marchers ranged from 6‑year-old first-timers to residents who have marched every single year since the event’s founding in honor of the birthday of the late civil rights leader.
Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church hosted the march and celebration. The event returned in person Saturday after having a virtual march last year due to the Covid pandemic.
Community members marched with signs reading “Save the children” and “Heal the village” in hand.
At the front of the march, 6‑year-olds Kamren and Karter led the community down Lawrence Street, Whitney Avenue, Edwards Street, State Street, and back to the church on Lawrence Street.
A school bus followed the marchers from behind to offer warmth or a ride to marchers who got too cold or struggled to keep up.
Community members like Janequa Hall marched to carry on Dr. King’s legacy to “never give up.”
She nearly didn’t come Saturday due to the cold weather but reminded herself while layering up that “in history, they didn’t have a choice.”
“They never gave up. So why should I?” she said.
Tenikka Hamton and Alea Hampton led the crowd of 50 through the streets singing versus of “We Shall Overcome” and chanting:
We are marching …
On Dr. King’s birthday …
Freedom’s highway …
I made up mind …
That I won’t turn around.
Charlene and Tenikka Hampton
Tenikka, 45, described the Love March as an annual family tradition that dates back to when her mother was pregnant with her.
“Those before us marched, bled, and died for us,” she said.
She marched beside her son Saturday to pass on the family tradition to another generation.
While the celebration was called off in-person last year, Tenikka’s mother, Charlene Hampton, still joined some family members for a walk around the block in honor of Dr. King.
Alea Hampton.
Alea Hampton has marched in the celebration for the past 30 years, since she was in a stroller, she said. Her sons Kamren, Karter, and Marcus joined her for a lesson on the importance of fighting for their rights.
“It’s the scariest thing I could ever imagine to have three Black boys in this world,” she said. “That’s why I’m out here and keep fighting.”
After a brief outdoor service featuring remarks from four elected officials, the church distributed test kits and masks to the community.
“This is how we’re going to achieve justice in our country — to make sure that we involve our children,” Hamden State Sen. Jorge Cabrera said. “We stand on the shoulder of giants like Dr. King.”
The officials and Pastor Kennedy D. Hampton Sr. reminded the community to vote and to hold their elected officials accountable.
“The things that so many people fought for, died for, faced water hoses for, had dogs sicced on them, were jailed for, were murdered for, [are] on the line,” Cabrera said.
State Sen. Gary Winfield [pictured] encouraged the community to ask elected officials, “Where are you when we’re out in the cold marching?”
When asked what the community can do to make change, Winfield suggested to “operate in the model of the man that we marched for.”
“It might sometimes feel to people like we’re angry, but we’re doing it because we love ourselves, our children, and the future generations,” Winfield added.
For a concluding benediction, Pastor Hampton prayed; “This day we come asking you to give us the courage, give us the strength to continue to fight. Allow us not to get sleepy. Allow us not to become complacent. Allow us to know that this fight is not simply about us, but it’s about the generation beyond us.”
Click here to watch the march and service.
MLK Love March to the next generation. It’s not about us it’s about their future.
Reach one teach one
Miguel Pittman Sr.