MLK Walk in Bristol 2020

BRISTOL PIRATES TEAM AND BRISTOL TN MAYOR MARGARET FEIERABEND PARTICIPATED IN THE WALK

OFFICER MACIAS AND CHIEF JOHN AUSTIN FROM BRISTOL, TN AND BRISTOL VA POLICE DEPARTMENTS

BRISTOL VA MAYOR NEAL OSBORNE

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR THE MLK DAY WALK

MLK Day Walk in Bristol 2020

STORY BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER PHOTOS BY CRYSTAL DAWN CARTER & HILL PHOTOGRAPHY

The air was cold and incredibly crisp on January 20th on State Street in Bristol. The cold didn’t keep people from coming out to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy at the 3rd Annual Martin Luther King Day walk and program sponsored by YWCA NETN and SWVA, Bristol Train Station, and Appalachian Peace Education Center (APEC).

In the past two years, the walk had community members start their journey from each state. One group left Virginia from a church and in Tennessee they left from a local organization to meet at the intersection of State Street and MLK Boulevard before walking to the famous Bristol sign.

This year participants were welcomed into the Paramount Theater on State Street where they were kept warm and happy with hot beverages and cookies. While enjoying the warmth and hospitality, guests had the opportunity to see prize-winning artwork from Bristol TN and VA High Schools and a “Freedom Quilt” project from Bristol, VA elementary schools. This year local high school students were encouraged to create artwork that represented the MLK theme, “The Legacy Lives.” Cash prizes were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. The prize winning artwork is currently on display during Black History Month at the YWCA NETN and SWVA in Bristol.

Those walking were provided with song sheets containing songs that were related to the Civil Rights Movement. Many held signs, some held hands in a beautiful symbol of unity as they walked up State Street to the Bristol sign. Volunteers and planning committee members for this year’s event were adorned in yellow scarves. Walkers stopped on MLK Boulevard for Kimberly Pete to belt out a song. Her octave range shattered the cold and silence and impacted each participant in some way. Everyone then gathered under the iconic Bristol sign for a photo and proceeded to the Bristol Train Station for a community program focused on “Beloved Community.”

BILLY BUNCH AND CAROLYN GUDGER

ANN LANDIS WITH TRI-CITY MASS CHOIR WAS HANDING OUT SONGBOOKS

KAYLIN PETE AND KIMBERLY PETE

DELMA AND MAHLON LUTTRELL VICE MAYOR BRISTOL, TN WALK PARTICIPANTS

HANK AND ALISON SCANLAN