How SC celebrated, remembered the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Bound by the cold and a spirit of equality, South Carolinians gathered Monday to celebrate the life and honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

State leaders used King’s most famous words to remember his life by, at the same time hoping the state and country continue to live by them, too.

S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. famously once said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” These words continue to ring true. Today we honor Dr. King’s legacy by celebrating his historic impact on the civil rights movement.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

“We honor Dr. King because he gave his life for a worthy cause which was to make America a more socially just place. At a time of great discord, he was a true fighter for social justice who believed in the potential of America. He focused on changing individual hearts and minds, not just institutions. Dr. King’s vision for our country was best summed up by the quote – we may have all come on different ships but we are in the same boat now. The best way to honor Dr. King’s work is for America to always (move) forward and never go back.”

“Today, I reiterated my view of what it means to be an American. Our country is not made up of a particular group of people or religion. It’s an idea that the government is there to serve the people – not the other way around. We collectively buy into the ideals of freedom of speech, right to choose our leaders, speak our minds and worship God on our terms. We truly are a collection of different backgrounds that have created something special. Diversity remains a strength of our nation, not a weakness. As we go forward to solve the problems of our time, we would all be well-served to remember the life and teachings of Dr. King. His words ring as true today as ever.”

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.

“Dr. King – I was just two years old when you were tragically killed in April 1968. You were born in the same decade as my grandfather, another black man born in the Jim Crow South. But even though you were stolen from this world too young, your legacy endures. The change we have seen since you and my grandfather were born in the 1920s, not just in the South but across the country, has been massive. There are obvious ways, such as the end of Jim Crow laws and the Civil Rights Act, but also ways we perhaps do not think about … ways your legacy has endured, even through tragedy.”

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

“Today especially, we honor the life & legacy of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. & celebrate the profound, positive impact he has had on America & the world.”

State Rep. James Smith, D-Richland, running for governor

“This is not just about remembering and celebrating Martin Luther King, it's about being active right now... We see the needs in South Carolina, and how much work there is to do in terms of social justice. When we're 50th in education, the work is not done. And that's not something that comes from inside the Legislature. It has to come from the people of South Carolina.”

Phil Noble, of Charleston, Democratic candidate for government

“Dr. King’s forward thinking is needed now more than ever.”

Annabelle Robertson, of Aiken, 2nd District Democratic candidate for Congress

“Fifty years later, we're reversing (King's) legacy under the Trump administration. Joe Wilson and his Republican cronies have been throwing African Americans under the bus for 18 years, and it's time to stop... I'm excited by all the millennials here today, and I really hope everyone is encouraged to vote and participate in the democratic process that King fought to give them.”

Sean Carrigan, of Chapin, 2nd District Democratic candidate for Congress

“The reason I'm out here today is to support the NAACP. One thing I'm proud to say about the 2nd District is that all five counties in the district have active NAACP branches. I think King's legacy is stronger today than it's ever been because of the push back the civil rights movement has received in the past year. I think it's caused people to wake up and push back against the push back, to get people more involved.”

Archie Parnell, of Sumter, 5th District Democratic candidate

"I think (state NAACP president) Brenda Murphy said it best when she read the quote, 'an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' That's so true. We need to have more empathy, more respect. To know that compromise is not a bad word and civility is not a weakness.”

The Rev. Anthony Waymyers, of Cheraw

“In bad times, I am reminded that God is still in charge. To overcome the bad times, we (have) got to always remain focused. Don’t you ever lose focus of what God has already done and what God can do. Always remain focused. Dr. King would put it this way, (you’ve) got to make sure you keep on serving even though others don’t serve with you.”

Toria Rotibi, 20, junior at the University of South Carolina

This year was Rotibi’s first year participating in King Day at the Dome. She moved to South Carolina from California.

“For the country, I hope we show more camaraderie for each other. We need to come together, not only as the state of South Carolina but the country. We need to realize while we’re not always going to be the same we need to respect one another’s differences.”

James Tomlin, of Columbia

Tomlin has participated in King Day at the Dome for the past 15 years.

“This year does feel different because (it’s pushing me) to do more and help more people. I hope we can bring people together and be more caring for one another.”

The Rev. William B. Gaither, first vice president of the S.C. NAAP

“We must not let our anger or grief overtake us. We must remember the words of Dr. King when he said, ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.’ ... Let us embrace his legacy as an example to help us drive out the darkness and drive out the hate ... Let us move forward into the brave new future. Now is the time to stand up and be citizens in the true meaning of the word.”

The Rev. Dr. Marion Wilson, of Columbia

“We can’t get discouraged. If we become discouraged the blood of our brothers and sisters will cry from the ground. I say we cannot turn back.”

This story was originally published January 15, 2018 at 2:22 PM with the headline "How SC celebrated, remembered the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.."