To honor and remember
Annual MLK events in Ocala include march and more.
Members of the Clearwater Missionary Baptist Church in Ocklawaha march together as the sun rises on a freezing morning during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration March in Ocala, Fla. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Historic March, held Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, saw scores of marchers gather in downtown Ocala before they walked a mile and a half route to honor the slain civil rights leader’s ideals of non-violence and dream of unity.
The march was part of a host of events from Jan. 10-19, sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, Inc., which included a prayer breakfast, ecumenical service, wreath laying, youth day and food drive.
On Monday, marchers walked from the downtown square to Webb Field in the 1500 block of West Silver Springs Boulevard.
The commission’s Facebook page states that the annual march honors the “legacy, courage and dream” of King, who was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, on April. 4, 1968, at the age of 39, according to history.com
This year’s march grand marshal, Ocala City Councilman Ire Bethea, said about 70 groups were participating in the march.
Tara Woods, the Ocala Police Department’s community liaison, was “excited” about the “great turnout” at the MLK events, including an overflow of guests at the prayer breakfast on Jan. 17.
March participants included local clergy, church members, businesses and private individuals.
Marion County School officials including Interim Superintendent Danielle Brewer and Melissa Conner and several school board members, including Sarah James of
District 5, and members of the NAACP Marion County Youth Council participated.
Florida Coke had a group of about 30 marchers headed up by John Horner, general manager of the local facility.
Many marchers standing in low 30 degrees temperatures awaiting the start shared their thoughts on the event and King.
Corine Shelton, 90, Cassandra Ponder and her grandchildren, Kingston Ponder, 10, and Khaleb Ponder, 7, were part of the New Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church group. Shelton said she has celebrated King’s memory for many years. Kingston said society should “not ignore” King’s message of non-violence.
Fort king Presbyterian Church pastor Bob Scott and members Daniel Banks, Pam Lewin and Mary Beth Neely and Little Chapel Community Church of Santos members Wayne Little and Natasha Sanford were lined up and ready to march in honor of King.
Lorenzo Bethel of Greater New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church was accompanied by Damir, 6, and Damauntai, 10, who said King’s message was to “bring freedom.”
NAACP Marion County Youth Council President Abigail Rose-McCoy 17, and Secretary Jay Moranet, 17, were joined by members Precious, 14, and Artayviac,13. The council members carried a sign that included one of King’s messages.: “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Rev. Eric Cummings of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church said clergy would lead the march and that his church had a group of about 30 participants.
Daisy Kendrick, a Marion County native, brought to the march her memories of violent racism, like “crosses burning.”
Kay Ettson, Alexxis Simmons and pastor Martin Smith of Progressive Union Baptist Church were part of the march, as where Operation Desert Storm veteran Tom Marion and Army and Marine Corps veteran Keith Gilbert.
“Where Dr. King stopped, we continue,” Marion said.
The march was followed by Day in the Park activities that included entertainment, vendors and more.
To learn more, go to thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/martin-luther-king-jr
Find the commission at fb.com/profile.php?id=100081906943501
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