By Jon Busdeker, The Orlando Sentinel –
The civil rights movement’s anthem “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round” could be heard from blocks away Saturday as more than 50 members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference marched in Sanford, Fla.
The group, which was holding its 55th annual convention in nearby Lake Mary, Fla., marched along the brick-lined streets to Sanford City Hall to highlight voter rights and call out for justice in the death of Trayvon Martin, the teenager killed in February by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman.
“We did not come here to mourn,” said Art Rocker, chairman of the SCLC in Florida, during a passionate, fiery speech. “We’re here to wake up America. We’re here to wake up Florida.”
Founded by Martin Luther King Jr., the SCLC played a pivotal role during the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Now based in Atlanta, the group ended its three-day conference with the march, which SCLC Executive Director Damien Conners described as harkening “back to the history” of the organization.
Several leaders from the organization, including civil rights activist the Rev. C.T. Vivian, addressed the mostly African-American crowd during the opening rally at First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
Vivian, who participated in the Freedom Rides and worked alongside King, reminded those sitting in the church pews of the SCLC’s religious roots.
“It’s not about color; it’s about Christ,” he said.
Sanford pastor Valerie Houston, one of the few community leaders to attend the rally, welcomed the SCLC members to the city.
“We’re glad you’re here in Sanford, Florida,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of marching to do.”
At Seventh Street and Park Avenue, Eli Campbell and his daughter Beautiful, 5, watched SCLC members walk by. Campbell said he supports their efforts in highlighting the Trayvon case.
“Let’s keep the issue alive in Sanford,” Campbell said.
