Thousands march at Seattle site of Martin Luther King Jr. speech

Thousands of people gathered at a Seattle high school on Monday for a rally and march to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The backstory:

In 1961, Dr. King visited Seattle. During his time in the city, he spoke at Garfield High School.

More than six decades later, thousands gathered at the same high school to celebrate the life of the prominent minister and activist.

"Coming together to work for unified goals, and particularly to uplift the community, specifically the African American community, that’s what this celebration has always been about and always will be about," said Robert Alexander with the Martin Luther King Jr. Organizing Coalition.

The event featured speakers, a march, and also a job fair with 50 vendors.

What they're saying:

"Provide opportunities for folks to get back into the workforce and be connected to community resources," said Marleny Monterrozo with the Workforce Development County of Seattle-King County.

For students like Shanna Gainous, celebrating King provides perspective into her own life.

"It makes me feel like I’m seen, you know, like I’m heard. It’s a day for all of us, you know. I feel like I’m in a space where I’m not judged. There’s people like me, you know. I don’t have to be hidden," she said.

The Source: Information for this report comes from interviews at Garfield High by FOX 13's AJ Janavel. 

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