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Fayette NAACP plans 1st MLK Day parade in Fayetteville

By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@TheCitizenNews.com

The Fayette County Branch of the NAACP has put out the call for persons or groups interested in participating in the first-ever King Day Parade through the streets of Fayetteville on Jan. 17, the national King Day holiday.

Invitations have also been extended to a host of big-name celebrities and politicians whose participation, organizers pray, will draw a large and diverse crowd to the county’s inaugural “Freedom Day” march.

“We want this to be a celebration of freedom and equality for all people in Fayette County, no matter where you are from or your skin color,” said the Rev. Ed Johnson, pastor of the Flat Rock AME Church and the NAACP branch chapter’s new president for the coming year.

Fayette resident and boxing champion Evander Holyfield has been asked to serve as co-grand marshal in the 10 a.m. parade, along with Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham, Johnson said.

Benham will also be the keynote speaker in an assembly immediately following the parade at F.A. Sams Auditorium in Fayetteville.

A similar program has been held in recent years in the Willie Duke Auditorium at Starr’s Mill High in the south end of the county.

“Hopefully by moving the Freedom Day program to a more central location, more county residents can have access to it,” Johnson said.

The parade will follow a route starting in the parking lot of Fayette County High, moving east down LaFayette Avenue to Ga. Highway 85, south one block to the square, and then west down Ga. Highway 54 to Tiger Trail.

The day’s events are being organized in partnership with the Fayette County School System, Johnson said. Superintendent John DeCotis will participate, he said.

The marching bands from all five Fayette County high schools have been asked to participate in the parade as well, but none had confirmed yet, Johnson said.

The NAACP checked into the availability of having the M.L. King High School Band from DeKalb County come down to entertain in Fayette, but Johnson said that 300-member group is already booked for the date.

A number of local dignitaries and politicians have given verbal commitments, but Johnson said the parade will be a true success if it includes a cross-section of local civic, neighborhood, church and business groups of various colors and backgrounds.

Overwhelmingly white for generations, Fayette County has in recent years grown more diverse, with an influx of black families as well as people of all races and nationalities, Johnson said.

The 2000 Census said the county’s population was 11 percent black, but officials now estimate that at around 16 percent. The school system is about 18 percent black, according to figures from the 2003-04 school year.

Fayette County has always approached challenges differently, Johnson pointed out, and he said the NAACP thinks the time is right for such a public celebration of diversity.

“This is an opportunity for all of us to come together in recognition of what we have in common,” Johnson said.

And if white residents choose to stay away, at least this is a start, Johnson said.

“It’s our first year,” he said. “You have to start somewhere.”

Groups interested in participating in the parade or interested in obtaining more information are asked to call 770-460-9934.

Fayette NAACP plans 1st MLK Day parade in F’ville

By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@TheCitizenNews.com

The Fayette County Branch of the NAACP has put out the call for persons or groups interested in participating in the first-ever King Day Parade through the streets of Fayetteville on Jan. 17, the national King Day holiday.

Invitations have also been extended to a host of big-name celebrities and politicians whose participation, organizers pray, will draw a large and diverse crowd to the county’s inaugural “Freedom Day” march.

“We want this to be a celebration of freedom and equality for all people in Fayette County, no matter where you are from or your skin color,” said the Rev. Ed Johnson, pastor of the Flat Rock AME Church and the NAACP branch chapter’s new president for the coming year.

Fayette resident and boxing champion Evander Holyfield has been asked to serve as co-grand marshal in the 10 a.m. parade, along with Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham, Johnson said.

Benham will also be the keynote speaker in an assembly immediately following the parade at F.A. Sams Auditorium in Fayetteville.

A similar program has been held in recent years in the Willie Duke Auditorium at Starr’s Mill High in the south end of the county.

“Hopefully by moving the Freedom Day program to a more central location, more county residents can have access to it,” Johnson said.

The parade will follow a route starting in the parking lot of Fayette County High, moving east down LaFayette Avenue to Ga. Highway 85, south one block to the square, and then west down Ga. Highway 54 to Tiger Trail.

The day’s events are being organized in partnership with the Fayette County School System, Johnson said. Superintendent John DeCotis will participate, he said.

The marching bands from all five Fayette County high schools have been asked to participate in the parade as well, but none had confirmed yet, Johnson said.

The NAACP checked into the availability of having the M.L. King High School Band from DeKalb County come down to entertain in Fayette, but Johnson said that 300-member group is already booked for the date.

A number of local dignitaries and politicians have given verbal commitments, but Johnson said the parade will be a true success if it includes a cross-section of local civic, neighborhood, church and business groups of various colors and backgrounds.

Overwhelmingly white for generations, Fayette County has in recent years grown more diverse, with an influx of black families as well as people of all races and nationalities, Johnson said.

The 2000 Census said the county’s population was 11 percent black, but officials now estimate that at around 16 percent. The school system is about 18 percent black, according to figures from the 2003-04 school year.

Fayette County has always approached challenges differently, Johnson pointed out, and he said the NAACP thinks the time is right for such a public celebration of diversity.

“This is an opportunity for all of us to come together in recognition of what we have in common,” Johnson said.

And if white residents choose to stay away, at least this is a start, Johnson said.

“It’s our first year,” he said. “You have to start somewhere.”

Groups interested in participating in the parade or interested in obtaining more information are asked to call 770-460-9934.