The Opp Martin Luther King Jr., Annual March is all about educating children, according to Jackie Ingram, one of the organizers.

Every year, a group of Opp residents organizes a march to commemorate the life’s work of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This year, the event is set for 10 a.m., on Mon., Jan. 21, the national King holiday.

“There are usually a lot of people that show up to the march,” Ingram said. “Maybe around 25-30. There are people that ride in cars and march.”

The march is roughly a mile from the Opp Police Department to Hardin Street’s Martin Luther King Jr. monument.

“We usually go to New Hope Church or Saint Steven’s Church and talk a little bit to the kids after the march,” Ingram said. “We talk about where we come from and why we march.”

This year’s featured speakers at the church will be Rev. Hines, Pastor Joe Smith Jr., Rev. Lawrence and other ministers.

“This march is important because it lets people know what Martin Luther King Jr. did for our country,” Ingram said. “It’s not all going like it should, but a little bit is better than nothing.”

Ingram said that she has been participating in the march since she was a little girl.

“I have been participating in the march for a long time,” Ingram said. “I remember Momma telling me to go out there and march. Back then, a lot of kids just marched and we didn’t even know what we were marching for.”

Ingram said that it is very important for people of all races to know what exactly Martin Luther King Jr. did for the country.

“I think it is very important for kids to be educated about this,” Ingram said. “Regardless of what color your skin is, this really happened. People should come to this march to help educate the kids.”

Opp City Councilman Gary Strickland said that this event is very important to the city of Opp.

“Martin Luther King Jr. was an amazing leader,” Strickland said. “He was a great example of how we need to treat each other. I think it is important to have events like these so we can remember those people that lead by leadership and by being a good person.”

The city of Florala is also having two Martin Luther King Jr. programs, one on Sun., Jan. 20, at the Church of God in Christ at 5 p.m., and a march on Mon., Jan. 21, at Carver Community Center of Florala at 11 a.m.