January 18, 2015

10k expected for MLK Day march

Protesters to march in Center City on Monday

By Daniel Craig
PhillyVoice Staff

POWER Philadelphia/for PhillyVoice

A flyer for the scheduled MLK Day of Action, Resistance, and Empowerment

Around 10,000 people are expected to march near City Hall Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day. According to a press release from Power Philadelphia, a religious organization and co-sponsor of the march, the protest is a part of the "Black Lives Matter" movement and is meant to address not only the recent incidents in Staten Island, N.Y. and Ferguson, Mo., but also local issues.

A detailed explanation of the march's purpose has been posted online. Their primary demands are:

- Fully funded, democratically controlled schools

- $15/hr minimum wage and the right to form unions

- A fully empowered, independent police review board and an end to "Stop and Frisk."

The rally will begin at 1:30 p.m., starting at 440 N. Broad Street and continuing around City Hall before finishing at 6th and Market Streets.

RELATED STORY: 10 things to do on MLK Day

The coalition of organizations that have organized the march are working under the name MLK D.A.R.E., which stands for MLK day of Action, Resistance and Empowerment. Organizers are using the hashtag #ReclaimMLK to raise awareness of the event on social media.

STAND UP PHILADELPHIA!!! #BlackLivesMatter #ReclaimMLK on Monday, Jan.19, 2015. Starts at 440 N. Broad at 1:30pm. Ends at Independence Mall.
— We Can Do This (@YagirlSlimShady) January 18, 2015