ATLANTA — Fifty years ago, on April 9, 1968, people everywhere mourned the loss of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as he was laid to rest after being killed by an assassin's bullet in Memphis.
On Monday, thousands took to the streets in Atlanta to remember the sacrifices of this civil rights leader and commemorate that same funeral procession mourners took with King's casket as it was pulled by horse-drawn carriage.
11Alive's Ron Jones was with the crowd as they began by gathering at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church before walking together in a procession reflecting on past years.
The route of the parade started at The King Center. They then marched on Auburn Avenue and headed west to Piedmont Avenue. Participants headed southbound on Piedmont, all the while chanting for justice, while keeping time to gospel singing and inspirational music from a local high school marching band.
The procession ended at the Georgia State Capitol, where it wrapped up with a ceremony that included music from Spelman and Morehouse's choirs. Several dignitaries, including Governor Nathan Deal and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joined the King family to make remarks when the march ended at Liberty Plaza.
There were a lot of people in Monday's march that remembered that day. But 11Alive spoke to young people among the crowd, who said they can relate to similar struggles today.
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