In small gatherings, in song, a salute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The pandemic forced the cancelation of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast where about 1,000 people would packed the Crown Expo Center to take part. But it has hasn't stopped people from being inspired by King.

Posted 10:38 p.m. Jan 18, 2021 — Updated 10:40 p.m. Jan 18, 2021

By

Gilbert Baez

, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The coronavirus pandemic forced communities to come up with creative ways to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In Fayetteville, a small, masked crowd marked the day at MLK Memorial Park with a simple wreath-laying ceremony.

Dr. Wilson Lacy, of the Fayetteville MLK committee, was committed to the celebration. “When you have a plan and you have something that you want to get done, you find a way to continue that work," he said.

Part of the committee's work is making sure the next generation understands the sacrifices that were made by King and others who fought for freedom and justice in a non-violent way.

The pandemic forced the cancelation of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast where about 1,000 people would packed the Crown Expo Center to take part. But it has hasn't stopped people from being inspired by King.

Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin was inspired to write a song to honor the civil rights leader.

"Dr. King wanted to see everyone live in harmony. He wanted to see us work in the same places. He wanted us to be able to live in the same neighborhoods and go and share the same schools," Peterkin said. "(Without) him taking the stand that he took, I probably wouldn't be able to be sheriff here today in this county.”

Peterkin, who has been a singer-songwriter for most of his life, was one of the lead singers with the Fayetteville Police Department band known as the Roll’erz in the 1980s and 1990s. He was happy to use those skills to honor King.

Suggest A Correction