Song emanated from Locust Walk yesterday evening as a crowd marched with candles to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The candlelight vigil, a Penn tradition spanning over 30 years, was organized this year by the Rev. Charles Howard, who works in the Office of the Chaplain. He led the group with songs such as "We Shall Overcome" and "Let It Shine" as they marched across campus.
"I helped organize this event because of what it means to the people," Wharton senior Sean Walker said. "Because of Dr. King and people who worked as hard as he did, I can go to a place like Penn," added Walker, who is black.
About 15 people marched solemnly together, while 10 more joined the group in an informal circle in the Hall of Flags, located in Houston Hall, where attendees spoke about King's legacy. The event was part of a day of celebration centered on the theme of community.
The so-called "day on" -- as opposed to a day off -- featured many University-organized events, including a speech by University President Amy Gutmann at a continental breakfast attended by well over 150 people.
Some students also cleaned and painted the Rotunda at 40th and Walnut streets, while others worked with children, painting banners and reading books in Houston Hall.
The candlelight vigil last night culminated in a group discussion of the meaning of the holiday.
Howard opened the floor up for comments, asking those in attendance to say why they were there, while Penn graduate Curtis Redding asked people to name their hopes for the future.
"I have a dream that everyone will get a good education," DuBois College House Dean Trish Williams said. "Not just the wealthy, not just the well-connected, not just the fortunate -- everyone."
Some of the students who attended shared their own feelings.
"I became interested in this event listening to my great aunt talk about growing up in the civil rights era," College senior Fatimah Muhammad said.
"Hurricane Katrina uncovered what has been [in American society] all along: poverty. Continuing Dr. King's legacy by using his ideas on poverty helps keep his memory alive."
Howard noted the symbolism embedded in the vigil.
"I remember doing this as a student," Howard said. "The march tonight is a sign of unity, a sign of discontent. The candles are symbolic because even though one will blow out eventually, there will always be someone to reignite the flame."
