Posted at 11:08 a.m., Monday, January 21, 2002

Parade celebrates King's legacy

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Leah Turner, 4, flashes a smile as big as the rainbow behind her at the start of today's Martin Luther King Jr. parade at Magic Island. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Bearing the sign "Memphis: We Remember," the first-time presence today of a city garbage truck in Honolulu's 14th Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade was significant.

In April 1968, King traveled to Memphis to support striking santitation workers, who were members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1733. It was a strike that went beyond workplace issues. King saw it as a struggle for dignity, workers joining together with a union to create a voice on the job and in their community.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, while supporting striking union members.

The Hawai'i Government Employees Association and United Public Workers, two of the largest local unions, are AFSCME affiliates. They were among 12 unions represented in today's parade march from Magic Island to Kapi'olani Park to honor King. Organizers said today's event, which had 3,000 participants, is the largest of all the King parades held here.

"It tells me how diverse we've become," said Bill Rushing, the parade marshal and member of the Dr. Martin Luther King Coalition who has been involved in all 14 events staged annually on the third Monday in January. "People here are more conscious that Dr. King didn't only work for one group of people but for everybody."

Ninety-three-year-old Dr. William Waddell, a retired veterinarian and Army "buffalo soldier," was the oldest participant in today's parade. Waddell, a captain in the Army's 9th Cavalry, 5th Brigade during World War II, was part of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) representation.

A unity rally at Kapi'olani Park featuring music and entertainment was held after the parade.