Thousands Join Sacramento Martin Luther King March To Spread Message In Tense Year

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — More than 28,000 people participated in a march from Sacramento City College to the Sacramento Convention Center in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday.

"We're dealing with a tradition that we want to continue—not just for the march's sake, but because we really want to impact the future. As we say 'honoring the past and impacting the future' is why we're here and what we do," said Sam Starks, the executive director of MLK365.

Monday's celebration was the largest in Northern California, and many believe this is an important year, in light of racial tensions seen across the nation.

Nearly 47 years after an assassin's bullet ended his life, King's legacy as a civil rights leader lives on, even after a year that could have used his calm and strength.

"I think we're all asking the question and checking our heart," said Pastor Les Simmons.

He's one of many who tried to carry on King's legacy every day. He said Monday felt different.

"Today represents a huge group of people saying we want to gather and we want to do something about it, we care about life," he said.

Simmons and many others work to heal what some would call a broken relationship between police and minority communities. He traveled to Ferguson, Missouri, where anger boiled over at the shooting death of unarmed black teen Michael Brown by a white police officer.

"I felt a particular pull on my heart to say 'I want to stand with them, I want to support it,'" he said.

Then there was video of New York City Police officers tackling and choking Eric Garner. Garner died, and the officers were not indicted.

"I think we're all asking the question from police department to community, 'What can we do better to bridge this gap in relationship?'" he said.

Simmons admits it will take more time, and more work on both sides. He says Sacramento law enforcement has been engaged and read to help.

Some anger did boil over on Monday as four people were arrested for fighting at a celebration in downtown.

Simmons says the work goes on.

"In this community, we are working with our police department, we're working together," he said.