(KAIR)--A crowd, small but mighty in purpose, gathered Monday night at the steps of Atchison's City Hall, focused on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior. “I just think that Reverend King was an amazing person,” Atchison resident Jacque Pregont told MSC News. “He was one of those people that was not afraid to fight in a peaceful way for what he believed in and we need to commemorate the sacrifice that he made.” Joining Pregont, an annual attendee of the ceremony, was Jim Robinson, attending for the first time. “Well I'm new here, but it's a great man we're honoring, and he's been an American hero.” Another long time attendee of the ceremony is Atchison resident Janet Smith, who returned for another year. “ I do it because it brings unity. I love to see people of all walks of life come together.” 

From City Hall, the crowd marched, reflective of the Civil Rights marches once led by Dr. King, while singing songs made famous in the fight for equality. They made their way to Atchison's First Christian Church, where a worship service was held. 

The focus of the service was Atchison during the era of Dr. King and the civil rights movement. Music filled the church, as did reflections of that troubled time, as remembered by longtime Atchison residents Dub Ehret and Michele Fobbs, who relayed their memories. 

The annual ceremony is a long-running Atchison tradition timed with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior holiday, and organized through the efforts of the Atchison Ministerial Alliance.