Local civil rights activists honored on MLK Day in JC

The Daily Union - 1/23/2019

Jan. 22--An energetic crowd proudly honored local civil rights activists to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the C.L. Hoover Opera House Monday.

Tre Walker served as the featured speaker at the 34th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Junction City-Geary County Celebration & Commemoration event. Walker was an All-American football player at Kansas State University. After graduating with a degree in Finance, the ordained minister founded the Tre Walker Motivational Group. More than 100 Kansas schools have requested his expertise in motivating and inspiring youths at conferences, concerts and conventions.

Walker delivered a fiery speech to draw visitors' attention to social challenges in society, and how they affect youths.

"We've got some issues in Junction City, and we've got to get (them) eradicated," Walker said. "I didn't come to make any friends; God is my friend. I came to have a conversation that I hope will make some of you uncomfortable."

Walker said youngsters currently face many challenges, including drugs and alcohol, gang violence and a lack of role models.

"The problem with our youth today is that no one wants to take responsibility for the negativity that surrounds them," Walker said. "Our youths are crying out for help, and we will not humble ourselves enough to help them. We can't take our cap off and have a conversation."

Members of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee paid tribute to King's accomplishments, as well as those of Ruby Virginia Stevens, who was the founder of the Junction City Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration event. She also established the Komomantyn Club to create leadership opportunities, raise self-awareness and promote history to students of color. Stevens served as the president of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People branch for more than 20 years.

The committee recognized new Coretta Scott-King Courage Award winners, including Bernice Bullard, who discussed her participation in the civil rights movement. Bullard marched in the protest marches that were held in Selma, Ala., in 1965. She was thrown in jail, and later transferred to a prison camp, she said.

"They used cattle prods on us as children, like we were animals," Bullard said. "It's important for our youth to know that people paid the price for the freedoms they have."

Bullard said she is proud of the strides black people have made in society, noting that Unified School District 475 now has black administrators. Dr. Reginald Eggleston -- who is black -- was recently introduced as the school district's new superintendent.

Geary County Commissioner Keith Ascher spoke during the event as well.

"It's an honor to be here," Ascher said. "It's truly a testament to the special community spirit we all share. Let us not forget that we should constantly educate our youth on why we hold this celebration."

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