UIW Marches in 38th San Antonio MLK March
On Monday, Jan. 20, UIW students, faculty and community members joined the City of San Antonio for its 38th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March and Celebration. Despite the frigid temperatures that swept through the city, thousands of San Antonio residents bundled themselves in their warmest clothes and walked alongside one another as their showed their collective respect for the legacy of civil rights activist, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr.
It has nearly been 57 years since the assassination of MLK, yet his memory lives on as many people throughout the nation continue to make efforts to bring about his dream of creating a more just society where all of God’s children are treated equally, with compassion and dignity.
Approximately 150 UIW Cardinals participated in this year’s march, carrying flags and banners with the UIW Cardinal logo. With smiles on their faces, they proudly represented the University and demonstrated their commitment to Catholic Social Teachings.
“We’re all really excited to be here,” expressed a UIW first-year student as she marched alongside her friends. “It’s a little cold, but a little cold doesn’t hurt the great cause that we’re here marching for.”
For some students, this year’s march was their first. To have the opportunity to be a part of one of the largest MLK marches in the U.S. meant a lot to them. Students expressed that they were shocked to see such a high turnout during such a cold day but were nonetheless glad to be surrounded by their Incarnate Word family and community members.
Through the efforts of UIW’s Ettling Center for Civic Leadership and Sustainability (ECCLS), many attending students and alumni had access to transportation to and from the event through their coordinated on-campus shuttle services. Helping students to participate in the march was an effort inspired by ECCLS founder, Sr. Dorothy “Dot” Ettling, CCVI, who was dedicated to the development of student leaders and promotion of civic engagement in the community.
“It felt great take our UIW community to the MLK March,” expressed Teofilo Reyes, assistant director of Leadership and Global Engagement for the ECCLS. “There's nothing like witnessing community engagement between our students and the San Antonio community, especially in this year's 28-degree weather.”
Throughout the march, Reyes looked back and smiled proudly at the vast number of UIW participants that trailed behind him in solidarity.
“The MLK March is a special annual event that introduces and strengthens our UIW community to exactly what our Mission expresses: to promote social justice in partnership with [others]. The more we can facilitate experiences such as the march, the more we can continue the conversation on how we as Cardinals can advance social change to address the needs of our global community,” said Reyes.
Those who marched this year are examples of UIW’s Mission to educate concerned and enlightened citizens within the global community at work.