Russellville to host MLK march on Monday

RUSSELLVILLE — The Franklin County Martin Luther King Memorial Scholarship Committee is planning its annual commemoration march, which this year will take place in Russellville at 11 a.m. on Jan. 19.

The march begins at the A.W. Tower Center at 201 S. Washington Ave. and will proceed to the Franklin County Courthouse. Participants will then return to the A.W. Tower Center for a program that includes speakers, music, and prayer.

Luke Nelson, president of the Franklin County branch of the Martin Luther King Memorial Scholarship Committee, said the event is intended as a community commemoration rather than a protest.

“This is not an issue of race and color,” Nelson said. “We want everybody in Franklin County to be a part of this. Dr. Martin Luther King was about equal rights and justice for all people.”

Nelson said the march rotates among Franklin, Lauderdale and Colbert counties, returning to Russellville about every three years. The most recent march in Russellville took place in 2023.

The committee also uses the event to support its annual scholarship program for Franklin County high school seniors.

Melvin Young, vice president of the committee, said the group raises donations throughout the year to fund scholarships for students across the county.

“The scholarships are for Franklin County schools like Red Bay, Phil Campbell, Tharptown, Belgreen and Russellville,” Young said.

The program began with three scholarships in its first year and has since grown. Last year, the group awarded five scholarships and hopes to offer six to 12 scholarships next year.

Young said recipients are selected based on essays, academics, financial need, and community service.

“They’re open to any student who qualifies, not just Black students,” Young said, “white, Hispanic, anyone who meets the criteria.”

Young said the organization operates entirely through volunteers.

“There is no paid staff,” he said. “Every dollar goes toward scholarships.”