‘The least we can do’

After retiring from his administrative position as vice chancellor for student affairs at UC Irvine in 2004, Jim Craig returns to campus once each year for a very specific purpose.

Joined by about 50 students and staff members Wednesday, Craig participated in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. march and rally for the 23rd time. The demonstration was held to honor the civil rights leader’s message and spirit.

“I come to remember the actions and principles of Martin Luther King Jr.,” Craig said. “Events like this one help keep his spirit alive.”

Various campus groups were represented at the march, which was organized by the Afrikan Student Union and the Cross Cultural Center.

Representing Alpha Phi Alpha — the first fraternity established by African Americans to which King was also a member — Michael Williams, 21, emphasized King’s contribution to the integration of college campuses, adding that the political activist was not a “superhero” but an ordinary man who “understood his obligation to society.”

“His work, along with several other prominent civil rights leaders, made it possible for us to come to school with white people,” Williams said. “This is really the least we can do to honor his memory.”

Yetunde Fatunde, who serves on the board of the Afrikan Student Union and was co-chair of the rally, said the union hoped to circulate awareness about the need to increase diversity on campus, with African Americans comprising about 2% of the student body.

Participants of various ages and races chanted and displayed messages of equality as they circled the university, and ended their march next to the administration building where student speakers offered their views on the nonviolent civil rights leader.

Some shared King’s famous quotes, others offered advice for the future, and Nkiruka Ojukwu sang the black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” as passersby paused to listen.

The Asian Pacific Student Assn. participated in the event, drawing attention to the common struggle of minority communities. “Anyone’s struggle is everyone’s struggle,” said Narinda Heng, the internal chair of the association who spoke at the rally. “We all have the same dream.”

Organizers were pleased with the turnout at Wednesday’s event, both for its size and diversity. It was part of the 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium, which will culminate today at 7 p.m. with a keynote lecture by Charles Ogletree, legal theorist and Harvard Law School professor, at the Student Center’s Crystal Cove Auditorium.