By Jason C. Mattox

More than 200 gathered in the auditorium of Batesville Intermediate School Monday morning to take part in a commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The legacy of Dr. King was mentioned and memorialized by several ministers, who also helped those in attendance celebrate today’s inauguration of Barack Obama.

“It is because of Dr. King that you and I will celebrate the inauguration of the first African-American president,” Rev. James Wright said.

Dr. Marlon Coleman echoed Wright’s sentiments, but urged those in attendance to focus their energy locally as well as nationally.

“Not only can change go to Washington, D.C., but, if we pray long enough and hard enough, change can come to Batesville, Mississippi,” Coleman said.

After Coleman’s remarks, those in the audience were treated to a pair of musical selections from the Martin Luther King Crusaders.

The music of the Crusaders, added with the words from speakers, brought most of the crowd to its feet and lead to a prolonged, unscheduled celebration of hope and faith.

“The program says Monday,” keynote speaker Rev. Bartholomew Orr said. “But it sure does feel like Sunday.”

Orr told the crowd that the dreams of Dr. King were coming to fruition and listed several examples that again brought the crowd to its feet.

“Praise be to God that we are watching Jesus deliver on the dream,” he said. “He delivered on that dream when he allowed Willie King to be the first black city alderman. He delivered on that dream when he allowed the late Leonard Morris to become first a member of the South Panola School board and later a representative.

“Well God made a special delivery in November when Barack Obama was elected,” Orr continued. “Thank God this was a dream that was delayed and not denied.”