Join us for theLove March on Friday, January 15, 2027 at 10:30 AM
〰️
Join us for theLove March on Friday, January 15, 2027 at 10:30 AM 〰️
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Love March
*Above: Photos courtesy of the New Haven Register*
History of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Love March
In the year of 1970, the Reverend George W. Hampton, Sr., attended the first service at the Church on the Green on Elm and Temple Street. As he sat in the service near the Reverend Forsberg, he said to him, "I must go to my own church." He got up and left for Shiloh. As he entered the church, he went to the altar and the Spirit of the Lord said to him, "Have a service in your own church and invite all people, black, white and others to attend."
In June of 1970, the Spirit of the Lord moved upon him and said, "Have a March and call it the Love March in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., because all people loved him. On January 15, 1971, we had our first service and love march.
We marched form the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church located at 100 Lawrence Street, New Haven, CT by route of Whitney Avenue, Humphrey Street, State Street, and back to Lawrence Street. On that day, the first sermon was delivered by Pastor Samuel White, Pastor of Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 29 Grove Street, Stamford, CT.
During the course of the following years we have been blessed with numerous city officials, ministers and local artist and pastors to deliver speeches and sermons.
On January 19, 1999, Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro made the Love March a part of our nation's history inducting it into the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.
Over the last 55 years The Love March has never been canceled. Rain. Snow. Does not matter we meet on Dr. King’s actual birthday and march in his memory.
2027 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Love March honoring the 110th anniversary of the Negro Silent Protest Parade, commonly known as the Silent Parade.
For the 2027 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Love March we are honoring the past while fighting for the future. Our Pastor, Reverend Kennedy D. Hampton Sr., M.Div, has been inspired by the 1917 Negro Silent Protest Parade, commonly known as the Silent Parade and wants to have a version of that right here in New Haven.
What was the Silent Parade?
The Negro Silent Protest Parade, commonly known as the Silent Parade, was a political protest in New York City on July 28, 1917. The primary objective of the march was to draw national attention to the widespread racial violence and entrenched systemic discrimination endured by African Americans. It was organized in direct response to a series of racially motivated attacks in 1916 and 1917, including the East St. Louis massacre and lynchings in Waco and Memphis.
The parade was organized by a coalition of African American groups, led by the recently formed NAACP. Starting at 57th Street, the parade route proceeded down Fifth Avenue, ending at Madison Square. It was a silent procession, with an estimated 8,000 to 15,000 African American participants marching in protest, accompanied by a muffled drum beat.
Call to Action
We know that we cannot reach this goal of 10,000 participants without the help (and organizing) of our community. We have started the planning and we want YOU there with us.
Please stay tuned as we will be share ways that you can help and get involved and help us make history .
In the meantime, please fill out the Google Form so we can reach you and ensure that you can join us on Friday, January 15, 2027.
Join us for the
Love March
Friday, January 15,2027
at 10:30 AM
The Love March in the news.
