Missouri City residents turn out in force for Freedom Walk

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Missouri City pulled out the stops Saturday for its second annual Freedom Walk, a community walk from Community Park to the nearby Freedom Tree Park to celebrate the day enslaved people at the former Palmer Plantation were told they were free. The walk also served as a one of the culminating events of the city's celebration of Black History Month.

Hundreds of residents took advantageous of the warm, sunny weather to participate in the walk. Last year's inaugural walk was hampered by inclement weather. According to Mayor Robin Elackatt, this year's event drew about twice as many participants.

Led by the Houstonbased Drumatix drum ensemble and members of City Council, the procession of people of all ages and ethnicities made their way through the quiet suburban streets, along the way passing signs displaying photographs of prominent African-Americans throughout history.

At Freedom Tree Park, artist Charis Kelley carefully painted a picture of the namesake tree. The park is soon to undergo a massive renovation and expansion.

As people gathered at the park's wooden deck, At-Large Position 2 Councilwoman Lynn Clouser kicked off the official festivities surrounding by young members of the Missouri City-Sugar Land chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., an organization that works to improve the quality of life of children, particularly those of African-American descent.

At Clouser's prompting, the children told the crowd on whose behalf they were marching.

"Black history is American history, and it should be celebrated throughout the year, 365 days a year," Elackatt said in his own

SEE WALK PAGE 5