Central Michigan University's annual CommUNITY March drew students, faculty and Mount Pleasant residents to reflect on the life and legacy of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

Madison Heights sophomore Cody Cyr said he viewed the march as an opportunity to acknowledge King's work and reflect on the civil rights work that still needs to be done.

"As a gay student I fee it is important to support other minorities and their marches against inequality," He said.

Cyr was one of 500 attendants who marched from CMU's Bovee University Center to Downtown Mount Pleasant.

Interim Assistant Director of Minority Student Services said the event was an example of the university and local community working together to honor a great man.

"The support we have from Downtown shows their support of their event, and eagerness to bridge the gap between the campus and city," he said.

Detroit sophomore Melody Brown said the march provided the perfect setting to commemorate King's dream of equality and unity.

"It's important to remember Dr. King's dream," said Detroit sophomore Melody Brown. "It's important today that we still believe in it."

2010 marked the first time the march and vigil were combined into one event. It was a move that allowed a greater number of people to participate, Booker said.

"Its a time for everyone to be acknowledged as an individual," he said. "Dr. King stood for many voices."

Speakers for the event included Interim President Kathy Wilbur, CMU Police officer Laura Rico, Saginaw junior John Ketchum,  and Campbell Hall Director James Span. Mount Pleasant senior Michelle Brooks and Lansing senior Chris Cadogan performed "Just Believe," a song Brooks' wrote especially for MLK Jr. Day.

GCM photos by Derek Stonebraker

By Ashante Thomas