Chico residents gathered and marched to Community Park Wednesday, to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The event took place on the same day of Dr. King’s assassination in 1968 on April 4. Participants began marching from 5 p.m until about 6:30 pm.

The crowd sang gospel hymns like “This Little Light of Mine” as they marched from the Dorothy F. Johnson center, ending next to the statue of Dr. King in the park where a small stage and seating area was set up. Parts of Dr King’s speeches were played, followed by speakers and songs which remembered the still ongoing struggles King fought for, as well as the compassion with which he did it.

Lesa A. Johnson, Chico State professor of sociology, addressed the crowd, speaking on recent killings of black men by police. She mentioned Stephon Clark, shot last week by Sacramento Police while weaponless in his grandparents’ backyard, and Desmond Phillips in Chico over a year ago, after an initial call for medical help.

Johnson ended with an old chant recently modified in the wake of so many recent police shootings, “No justice, no peace; no racist police.”

The father of Desmond Phillips, David Phillips was also marching.

“I’m marching in support with the Martin Luther King group,” said Phillips. “He died 50 years ago from gun violence. Gun violence claimed my kid, Martin Luther King, and many many others.”

Along with remembering what he fought, and ultimately died for, King was also remembered for his ability to love, some said.

“Tell the person next to you that you love them,” said Emily Alma, who helped host the event, after playing a recording of some of King’s words.

Frances Mann sang several songs in the hour-long event, at the end, intending to further bring people together.

“Reach out and touch somebody’s hand,” she said between verses of “We Shall Overcome,” causing those gathered to clasp hands, swaying as they finished the hymn and then dispersed.

Josh Cozine can be reached at [email protected] or @joshcozine on Twitter.