More than 48 years after his "I have a dream" speech, the message of unity and harmony in Martin Luther King Jr. echoed throughout Friday.
People of different walks of life and backgrounds gathered in prayer that evening and celebration in honor of the late civil rights leader.
Westchester Legislator Sheila Marcotte said the event was good for the community.
“So many people from different areas come together under one roof,” she said.
Jews, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, members of the Bahá'í Faith, Quakers and Christians were among the crowd that shared a meal and conversed as one.
"It’s always important to get people together and encourage people to get along and appreciate each other,” said Reverend Martin L. Nelson, senior pastor of in New Rochelle. “You don’t push peace. Harmony brings peace.”
Young people were an important part of the celebration.
Three children from the of New Rochelle each remembered Martin Luther King Jr. in their own way.
Jonathan Arias, 10, and Jonaiya Doyle, 10, each read an excerpt from a speech about a topic of their choice. Both chose the topic “keep dreaming, never give up.”
When asked why they chose that topic, Arias responded, "I wanted to build on Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream and promote his dream."
Doyle added, "I want to encourage people younger than me to learn about [Martin Luther King Jr.] and older people not to forget him."
Alexis Cumberbatch, 12, beautifully sang Mariah Carey's song "Hero" in honor of King Jr., a man she called her hero.
The Coalition for Mutual Respect hosted the inter-faith and multi-racial program, as it has done for the past 33 years, said Rabbi Amiel Wohl of Temple Israel and co-chair of the Coalition for Mutual Respect.
"The coalition started this event to bring dialogue to two different faith bodies in 1979," said Rev. Michael Rouse, pastor of and co-chair of the Coalition of Mutual Respect.
"We share in the commonalities and religious experiences as we observe Martin Luther King Jr.,” he said.
