Moving the Dream Online: MLK Commission Cancels 2022 In-Person March Due to Increase in Covid Cases

January 8, 2022 - San Antonio

**Commemorating virtually.** “They want to march, they think we should march, but they’re concerned and scared about the possibility of contracting Covid-19,” said Renee Watson, chair for both the San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and its annual march, after hearing from citizens who felt uncertain about the level of safety at the event. *Photo: Facebook/Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission.*

By Jade Esteban Estrada, Co-Editor | San Antonio Sentinel

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

The in-person march commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy, planned for Monday, Jan. 17, has been canceled due to the recent increase in local Covid cases

At 27.3 percent, the Covid positivity rate is at an all-time high for Bexar County

Due to concerns around the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases within San Antonio and Bexar County, the City of San Antonio’s in-person march commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy, planned for Monday, Jan. 17, has been canceled, a spokesperson announced on Friday.

This week, the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District upgraded its Covid-19 risk level to “severe.” The positivity rate is at 27.3 percent, an all-time high for Bexar County.

Renee Watson, chair for both the San Antonio Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and its annual march, received feedback from citizens who were concerned about the level of safety at the event, which usually attracts a large number of participants.

“They want to march, they think we should march, but they’re concerned and scared about the possibility of contracting Covid-19,” said Watson in a Jan. 7 statement.

In an effort to preserve the safety of the community members and to prevent any additional spread of Covid-19 variants, the MLK Commission voted to cancel the in-person procession, VIA Metropolitan Transit’s bus service to and from the march, and in-person MLK presentations that were scheduled before and after the signature event.

In keeping with the commission’s mandate to preserve the health of San Antonio’s residents, the organization will be partnering with Metro Health to host an upcoming pop-up testing and vaccination site at Pittman-Sullivan Park.

Though this news may disappoint those who were planning on participating in the march, the commission is currently seeking opportunities to virtually engage community members on Jan. 17. To contribute an idea to the organization, comment on the SA MLK Commission’s social media page.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

During a global pandemic, moving forward could mean shifting to an online platform.

For more information on the finalized virtual offerings, visit the City’s MLK March website here.

Jade Esteban Estrada is a co-editor for the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. jade@sasentinel.com | Twitter: @satx_writer