MLK Freedom Train to San Francisco
January 16th was on a Monday this year the day after civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, his 83rd and may have been celebrated with family and friends if not for his assignation in 1968. I won’t dwell on such an injustice to mankind, but reflect on a day of joy instead. My day started early but without any real fanfare prepared. I was simply watching the early morning news and determining what to focus on for the day.
The MLK freedom train will leave from the San Jose, Ca Diridon Station at 9:30a to San Francisco CalTran station to make its annual fifty-four mile journey replicating the fifty-four mile walk from Selma to Montgomery the newscaster said, and which I just happened to hear and quietly asked myself, how many times have I said I going to make that journey sometime. So with a little more than two hours before the trains journey was to begin, I made a decision that this was a perfect time and way to enjoy a Monday.
I showered and made a quick breakfast, gathered my camera bag and drove myself to Diridon train station. I had a feeling there was going to be lots of people as this event always attracts multitudes. On my arrival I could see tons of people which reminded me of a ballgame gate entrance. I got my train tickets and began taking a few photos to document the day. I boarded the train and chose an upper deck seat so I could observe a bird’s eye view of the singers and poets of this event that strolled through all the train cars. The journey was eventful and memorable. If you ever have a chance to experience this from any city in America, do so.
When I arrived at San Francisco’s CalTran train station on 4th and King you could see the excitement in the faces of young and old and listening to parents teach their young as to why this event should be so special in their lives was satisfying to say the least. Everyone gathered at the China Basin to begin the march which is alongside of the most beautiful major league baseball ballpark in the US, AT&T Park where the 2010 Champion San Francisco Giants play. I photographed the beginning of the march and somehow knew my day was going to be separated from the crowd as the sites of the city called me like the sound of a siren. I love San Francisco and could spend days just strolling through the many fantastic areas of this magnificent city.
The Freedom Trains Arrive at San Francisco Station
The Gathering at China Basin
The March Begins
One Very Excited Ten Year Old Who Told How Much She Was Happy To Be Here
About Urban Picasso
Creative Designer and Owner of Garlason Group International (GGI)
