Locally, hundreds celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Some attended a breakfast Monday morning while others took part in a volunteer clean-up for the 5th annual Day of Service.
"Some things has changed but they haven't changed to the point would where Dr. King would have want to have them at this time," said Charles Flowers at the MLK Day Breakfast. Flowers grew up in Mississippi and remembers riding in the back of the bus. "Young people today doesn't understand what the struggle was all about or what this holiday is about," said Flowers which is why he's glad there are events to remind people of Dr. King's cause.
While some ate breakfast, volunteers showed up at 7 a.m. for the area's Day of Service. For the volunteers the holiday is about not just a day off of work or school but about giving back.
"Kids, instead of staying home, they're out here helping out," said Fanny Hernandez, an adult volunteer. "So it's good to come out and help."
This was the event's fifth year with about 350 kids and adults showing up to clean alleys and sidewalks.
"We have a lot of trash bags. A lot of them and there's even some couches just cleaning up the alley here," Nayely Sanchez, volunteering from Shannon Grove's Office.
They focused on the southeast side of town with more willpower to clean than there was trash on the ground.
"Most of the groups are asking 'Hey Sean. We're done. We need another project," said Sean Battle, Exec. Director of Stop the Violence and organizer of this event.
"We have a lot of privileges that a lot of people in this community don't and I think it's good of us to give back to the community and help out the best way we can," said Ashley Contreras of Golden Valley High School.
By noon they were rewarded with lunch, mashed potatoes and BBQ chicken and of course a little music all in honor of the great civil rights activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Bakersfield comes together as a community. They come out and they help and they support," said Verlinda Denwitty, volunteer at MLK Day of Service.
