'More than a dream'

MOSES LAKE — Monday night, a group of around 35 people wearing white hoodies blared and sang to music as they walked down Fifth Avenue as the sun set on downtown Moses Lake. The group shared laughs. The children ran and teased one another. Signs were waved proudly at passing cars.  

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that!” reads one of the signs.  

“It is not possible to be in favor of justice for some people and not be in favor of justice for all people,” reads another.  

The signs were all adorned with quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.  

After a couple of blocks, the group arrived at their destination – the Civic Center Auditorium. People began to warm up from the brisk wind and waited for the main event to begin. The event, Honoring the Life and Legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was organized by the Moses Lake Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee and the Moses Lake Creative District. 

Charlie Jones Memorial 

After the auditorium filled with around 100 people, the Moses Lake High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Color Guard presented the colors. Afterward, MLK Jr. Committee President Miranda Bridges-Lindsey and her sister and vice president LaDonna Richie presented an award to Linda Jones, the wife of their former president, Charlie Jones. Charlie passed away in July of 2024, making this the first MLK celebration since his passing.  

“As a token of our appreciation to her for allowing us to be a part of her husband's life for these many, many years, we are truly, truly honored for that opportunity for us to be able to work with Charlie Jones,” Bridges-Lindsey said. “He is a wonderful man, a great man of leadership, and I was honored to be able to work alongside him for over 17 years as his vice president.” 

Afterward, Charlie Jones’ favorite song, “The Jesus Way,” was played for the crowd.  

Charlie’s sons, Isaac Jones and Jacob Jones came up to the stage to say words about their father.  

“As I was reminiscing about my father and what he's done for this community, for this program, for Moses Lake, I just realized that he loved everyone, and he showed love to everybody,” Isaac said. “He raised us to love everyone. He loved unity. He loved meeting. He always wanted people around him. I can't remember a time that we've ever gone camping or on a family trip where we didn't have people with us, and they're not always family. There were just always people around. He always wanted to bring people together; I think that's what his legacy was. He wanted to unite everyone. It didn't matter your race, creed or religion. He just wanted you around if you were a happy person, a good person.” 

'I have a dream …'

Pastor Plasido Lindsey from Galilee M.B. Church read King's iconic speech to the crowd.  

Visit bit.ly/IHaveADreamVideo to watch the original speech.

“I just want to just say thank you to Charlie Jones. It's kind of weird this year with him not being here,” Lindsey said. “I had nobody asking me how I was doing numerous times today. And then, when I told him, no matter how many times I do this, I always have butterflies, and I get nervous. And he was always that calm, reassuring voice that it was going to be alright. And you guys talked about the love that he had. Charlie Jones accepted me when nobody else accepted. He counted me in when everybody else counted me out. And he always has faith in me and in what God had for me, and so I thank him for that, and I pray that his legacy will continue.” 

Lindsey’s reading concluded with a standing ovation from the audience. 

'Martin Luther King, Jr. was more than a dream' 

Emerson Ferguson, a basketball coach at Moses Lake Christian Academy-Covenant Christian School, a teacher and a community leader spoke about King’s legacy to conclude the event.  

Ferguson opened his speech with a warm tribute to Charlie. 

“I was devastated when I heard the news,” Ferguson said, reflecting on his memories of Charlie at basketball practices. “He was always like, ‘Hey, hey. Good morning. Good morning. Amen. Good to see how things are going.’ He was always genuine about it.”  

Transitioning to the subject of King, Ferguson said there is much more to King than the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.  

“When you hear the name Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., what is the first thought that comes to your mind? For a majority of people, the first thing they think of is four words, ‘I have a dream,’” he said.  

However, he urged the audience not to limit King’s legacy to this singular phrase.  

“This great man was so much more than ‘I have a dream,” Ferguson said.  

Ferguson detailed King’s early life, including his upbringing in Birmingham, Ala., and his academic achievements.  

“Martin graduated high school at the age of 15,” he noted, “enrolled at Morehouse College soon after and, at the age of 19, graduated with a bachelor's in sociology.”  

The speech poignantly illustrated King’s diverse interests, portraying him as a multi-faceted individual.  

“Dr. King was an incredible billiards player,” Ferguson said, smiling. “He also loved baseball, especially when he was younger. He loved to swim and ride bikes as well.”  

Through Ferguson's narrative, he pointed out the struggles King faced, including threats to his life and racism.  

Ferguson emphasized the historical context of King’s activism, specifically King’s role in major civil rights events.  

“He organized his show. Showed up for sit-in protests at diners where blacks were not being served,” he said.  

Ferguson also discussed King’s famous speeches, including “The Other America,” wherein he addressed the stark contrasts between the experiences of affluent white Americans and impoverished Black Americans. To watch the full video visit: bit.ly/TheOtherAmericaVideo

“Dr. King gave this speech explaining that there are two Americas that we live in,” Ferguson said. “There is the America that is prosperous, prosperous one that white people get to live in... then there is the other America, the impoverished one.” 

Toward the conclusion of the speech, Ferguson emphasized the relevance of King’s message today.  

“This is more than just a holiday,” Ferguson said. “Today is a day of – not a day off, alright? It is a day to honor a man whose home was bombed and who received numerous death threats because he had a dream.” 

Ferguson closed by empowering the younger generation present.  

“The future is in the hands of our youth,” Ferguson said, pointing his closing at the younger members of the audience. “You guys can change the world.”  

    Emerson Ferguson, the main speaker of the MLK celebration event, gave a speech on how Martin Luther King was more than his “I have a dream speech.”
  

    One of the Dreamers in Action waves to the crowd at the beginning of the Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration.
  

    MLK Committee Vice President LaDonna Richie hands an award to Linda Jones, the wife of their former president, Charlie Jones. The Moses Lake Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee thanked Linda for her patience as Charlie worked with the group. Charlie passed away in July of 2024, making this the first MLK celebration since his passing.
  

    Charlie Jones, former president of the Moses Lake Martin Luther King Jr. Committee passed away in 2024. Two of his sons, Jacob Jones, left, and Isaac Jones, right, gave spoke honoring their dad and his work.
  

    Ivy Reese and McKay Baker from Today’s Generation performed “Oo Child” during the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.
  

    Ivy Reese and McKay Baker from Today’s Generation performed “Oo Child” during the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.
  

    Pastor Plasido Lindsey from Galilee M.B. Church read Martin Luther King’s famous speech “I have a dream,” during the MLK celebration.
  

    The Dreamers in Action performed “We are the World” by U.S.A. for Africa during the closing of the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.
  

    Members of the Moses Lake Martin Luther King Jr. Committee pose for a photo with their former president Charlie Jones. Jones passed away in 2024.