GLIDE Marches for Justice on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025

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GLIDE community gathered at San Francisco’s Caltrain station for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day March: a city tradition started by GLIDE’s co-founder Cecil Williams at the request of Corretta Scott King. Spirits were high as we posed for a group photo, displaying signs reading, “We march for unconditional love for all!” and “Love is the greatest force in the universe.” GLIDE is always pursuing a love agenda.

Would you like to march alongside GLIDE more often? To be informed of all our marches and actions, it’s as simple as signing up for our justice warriors mailing list here. Marches are a wonderful way to connect with your community. 

At the march, Black activists and families danced alongside city politicians and dignitaries.  GLIDE President & CEO Dr. Gina Fromer stood at the head of the crowd, as enthusiastic shouts of “What do we celebrate?” “MLK!” filled the air.

As well as signs provided by the city’s many community organizations, there were also a variety of amazing homemade signs calling for love, unity and peace. The street was filled for blocks with hundreds of people rallying together to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy.

We marched together to Yerba Buena Gardens, where San Francisco’s Interfaith Council had arranged for a stirring program, starring of course the GLIDE Ensemble. Their musical offering included a social justice rap with many memorable rhymes, including, “King became regal: saw the face of Jim Crow under a bald eagle.” The reminder that racism still exists beneath America’s stars, stripes, and bald eagle was very appropriate to the day.

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Marvin K. White warmly welcomed the crowds, saying that someone fighting for justice for the very first time today was every bit as welcome as the most seasoned activist.  “This is not a time for fear, but for faith,” he said.

Mayor Daniel Lurie seized his opportunity at the podium to discuss his administration’s recently proposed “Fentanyl State of Emergency Ordinance,” commenting on the disproportionate impact of fentanyl on the Black community.  “We must act with a real investment in treatment, in housing, in economic opportunity, and in dignity,” Lurie said. 

“We must partner with Black churches and faith leaders, many of you here today have been at the forefront of social justice and healing in our city. We know that solutions must come from within the community.”

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The keynote speaker this year was Amos Brown, an African American pastor and civil rights activist who leads the San Francisco branch of the NAACP.  Amos Brown spoke passionately about not allowing the religious right and President Trump to define the meaning of Jesus. 

The religious left is certainly alive and strong in San Francisco.  Thank you so much to all of you who marched alongside us: we appreciate you!