Idahoans of all ages marched in unison from the Student Union Building to the bustling streets of downtown Boise, to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Members of the MLK Living Legacy Committee organized the “MLK Day of Greatness Rally and March” event at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Attendees created posters to express their support for DEI, LGBTQ+ and the Black community.
The rally began around 11 a.m., as members and attendees walked together through the streets of downtown Boise chanting: “Ain’t no power like the power of the people because the power of the people don’t stop” and “The people united, will never be divided.”
After the attendees made their way to the Capitol steps, Chair of the MLK Living Legacy Committee Charles Jones spoke to the crowd about this year’s theme: “evolving together”.
“It does not feel that we are evolving [as a country], but we are regressing,” Jones said in his speech. “As many of you know today is not just MLK day — It’s Inauguration Day and this is the day where we swear in the person who is the leader of our country and who represents us and should be seen as a great transition of change.”
While MLK day and Inauguration Day rarely coincide, Jones mentioned that the inauguration of President Donald Trump symbolizes a “step back” for the country.
“[President Trump] represents everything Dr. King stood against,” Jones said in his speech. “On this day, we’ve had to feel the slowing effects of what this presidency has for our future.”
Jones referenced examples of how DEI programs are “under attack” not just in Idaho schools but across the country.
Various speakers from ASBSU, delegates of MLK Living Legacy Committee and Boise State organizations also delivered speeches on the importance of spreading Dr. King’s legacy within the community.
Another speaker, President of Boise State’s Black Student Association, Ani Carnell, emphasized the importance of recognizing progress from the Civil Rights Movement to the ongoing progress for equality today for marginalized groups.
“I think oftentimes we forget about just how long this time actually was … modern movements surrounding racial inequality, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights and more, show us that there’s still work to be done,” Carnell said in her speech. “In the words of MLK, ‘whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.’”
Tish Hetrick, one of the attendees at the rally, mentioned that she showed up to not only celebrate Dr. King but to show her support for DEI.
“We just need to be present and show that DEI is necessary,” Hetrick said. “People have not had a fair shake in this country — The [Idaho] legislators are going in the wrong direction and we need to show up.”
Hetrick expressed the importance of showing up to an event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
“In an atmosphere of hate, it’s great to be around people — like minds — to support each other,” Hetrick said.
In an interview with The Arbiter, Jones expressed the importance of continuing to speak up for justice as people come together to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“We are the dream [MLK] stood [for] — we are the dream of standing with one voice and shouting that this dream doesn’t just matter for the color of your skin, but it is a societal dream we cannot truly grow if we are stuck within our own smaller circles and our own prejudice and biases,” Jones said.
Jones elaborated on his hopes for Idaho’s future considering the recent inauguration.
“It’s up to people like us to call out the system and show that it’s not a true system that wants change, but wants complacency,” Jones said. “Complacency does not come with an involved mindset that is a fixed mindset. What we want to do is help continue these discussions, to open different perspectives, open communications — to see from a different angle and to show this will impact people.”
After the speeches, MLK Living Legacy Committee member Marliegh Nabonne highlighted the power of unity on a day like Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“With the speeches that we had, I hope that they [attendees] take away the understanding they are not alone and it’s okay to be alone and speak out,” Nabonne said. “There’s always someone in the crowd watching and always someone willing to join you because they do have the same aspirations as you and it’s about community, it’s about coming together. I feel like one person can do so much, but many more can conquer the world.”
Nabonne urges students and attendees to stay engaged in the community and take part in events that support MLK’s legacy.
