2,500 turn out to honor King's life and his legacy

Wilma Brown, the first African-American woman elected to Toledo City Council president, recalled yesterday the racism of her childhood home city - before civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., visited Birmingham, Ala.

"I didn't want to talk about this, and I tried to forget it," Ms. Brown said.

"When I was a youngster, before Martin Luther King came to Birmingham, I remember the city jail … and hearing the men screaming from being beaten. I remember the colored fountains and the white fountain, and I knew that I had to sit in the back of the bus."

Ms. Brown, 74, added: "But I kept telling myself, 'This too will pass.'•"

More than 2,500 people gathered yesterday morning for the University of Toledo's annual tribute to the slain civil rights leader, where Ms. Brown and others praised his life.

Mr. King, who advocated peaceful resistance and equality, was assassinated April 4, 1968.

Toledoans joined others nationwide in honoring him with celebrations, programs, and services.

Ms. Brown and Toledo Mayor Mike Bell both spoke of unity during their remarks for the event.

As the mayor was called to the podium, he and Ms. Brown approached it arm in arm.

"I come to you as your mayor, but I also come to you as just one man - one man who believes that we can change this whole environment we call the city of Toledo," Mr. Bell said.

The mayor said the community needs to adopt the principles of Mr. King's teachings.

"It's about all of us standing together. We can no longer - and that's what he was alluding to. … We cannot stand separated and hope to advance. It is impossible," Mr. Bell said.

UT President Lloyd Jacobs said the university could rejoice in the progress made toward Mr. King's teachings and dream.

"I'm grateful that the spirit of his life lives on here at the University of Toledo and in the city of Toledo," Dr. Jacobs said.

"All of us know there remains much work to do. Unemployment here in northwest Ohio is 50 percent higher among African-Americans than among Caucasian people here in this area," he said. "We continue to experience prejudice and racism, frankly in ways that are more subtle."

Mr. Jacobs also praised Mr. Bell and said he would "recognize him, not only as a great leader, he is, but also as an important symbol of the impact of African-Americans in the life of the 21st century."

Mr. Bell is the second black mayor elected in Toledo. Jack Ford was the first.

Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo), and dozens of local political and religious leaders also attended.

Miss Kaptur recalled the legislative history of declaring the day a national holiday - which she called a 15-year struggle by Democratic Congressman John Conyers of Michigan.

"I can remember the vote in Congress in 1983 to establish a national holiday in honor of Dr. King and his brilliant dream," she said.

The House passed the bill 338 to 90, and the Senate approved it 78 to 22. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law on Nov. 3, 1983.

"Today as we commemorate the brilliant life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we marvel at his light," Miss Kaptur said. "Even for those who were born to a new generation, who were not his contemporaries, they are drawn to the light of his life."

Mr. Fisher joined several yesterday who said they were moved by the performance during the ceremony by the Toledo Interfaith Mass Choir. The choir opened the event with a stirring rendition of "God Bless America" with other songs woven into the piece.

"The stony road we have crossed over decades is still stony," Mr. Fisher said.

"Even in the midst of this celebration all of us know that there is still a long road ahead."

Mr. Fisher said for himself the "greatest lesson of all" from Mr. King was in a 1963 letter he wrote while in the Birmingham jail.

"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people," he said, quoting Mr. King.

The UT ceremony included a video tribute to Mr. King, produced by Keyser William Lucas.

The short film was a collection of Mr. King's speeches and interviews, as well as an excerpt from President Obama's Nov. 4, 2008, acceptance speech in Chicago.

The university's program, which included a 20-minute processional of community leaders and organizations, and a reading of "The Purpose of Education" by Mr. King, ended with a community luncheon.