Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Children’s March for Peace
MLK Children’s March and Bell Ringing Ceremony
January 25, 2025 | 12:00 PM
Meet at St. Peter’s Church
About the march
The MLK Children’s March for Peace is organized by the State of Connecticut’s Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) and aims to inspire unity and peace by elevating the voices of our youth. We celebrate the power of children to make a difference and unite us in love as we march through the streets of Cheshire. St. Peter’s is proud to co-sponsor this wonderful and inspiring event.
In 2021 we held a small bell-ringing ceremony to raise the voices of children and hear their voices as they spoke about their hopes for peace and unity, and what Martin Luther King, Jr. Day means to them.
Since then, we’ve worked with St. Peter’s parishioner Cheryl Sharp, attorney and Deputy Director at the State of Connecticut’s Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), to grow the event to include a march as well as an opening ceremony. This event brings people from the community and beyond together to march for peace and unity. We ring bells, walk together, and pause at landmarks to learn more about the history of slavery in our town and to inspire us to build a more equitable future.
Our hope
This event seeks to bring people from town and beyond to celebrate the life and teachings of Dr. King, focusing on our children as the catalysts to realize his vision of inclusion, nonviolence, and respecting the rights of each and every one of us. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to participate in this event that celebrates the true spirit of this special day!
March route:
- START out of back of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church to Horton Avenue
- go north on Horton Avenue to Main Street
- go east on Main Street to Route 10
- go south on Route 10 to Church Street
- loop around Church Street and cross over Route 10 (east) onto Wallingford Road
- STOP in rear parking lot of Town Hall
- go north on Elm Street to Route 68
- go west on Route 68 to Route 10
- go north on Route 10 and FINISH at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Parking
The entrances to St. Peter’s on Highland Avenue/Route 10 and Horton Avenue will be closed to vehicles for the event.
Parking is available in the lot on Spring Street behind the Board of Education building, on-street parking, and the Cheshire Public Library.
Handicapped Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the church.
Schedule of events
*12:00 to 1:00 [will be streamed via YouTube]:
- Opening prayer
- Welcome and introductions
- Remarks from St. Peter’s youth, Kids Court Academy representatives, and local and state officials
- Poem reading
1:00:
- March through town
- After the march, boxed lunches will be served!
*Note there will be a children’s activity available – we’ll make signs for the march
Check out the photos and media coverage from previous events:
2024 event
Children march for peace and justice in Cheshire on MLK Jr. Day – CT Insider
Ceremonies held on Martin Luther King Day – WFSB Channel 3
Children’s march held to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day – WFSB Channel 3
Children march for peace and justice in Cheshire on MLK Jr. Day – New Haven Register
Gallery: MLK Day events in Waterbury and Cheshire – Republican American
2023 event
Cheshire holds march for children to honor Martin Luther King Jr. – WTNH
Martin Luther King Jr. Day children’s march held in Cheshire – WFSB
Youth march held in Cheshire to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy – WFSB
A CHILDREN’S MARCH IN CHESHIRE Annual event honors Dr. King by allowing kids to lead the way – Republican American
Connecticut children redefine social justice on MLK Day – Fox 61
Photos: Remembering Dr. King – Cheshire Herald
Children’s march planned for MLK Day in Cheshire – RecordJournal
