This afternoon members of the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will be hosting a silent candlelight vigil march at 4:30 PM in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The annual event is a time for students and staff to join together to think about the sacrifices made to this country by Dr. King in order for the citizens of the United States of America to enjoy the luxuries of equal rights and liberties. Dr. King was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.

The march will commence at the NC State Belltower and conclude at Riddick Hall. The theme of the event is based on the question “Are We Really Living the Dream.” Tyrik Hicks, a Senior in Chemical Engineering and member of the fraternity said that the main purpose of the event was “ to celebrate the life and and contributions of the prominent African American leader and brother, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Furthermore he said that “it was a time to remember his life and truly reflect on the progress in living out Dr. King’s vision as a community.” The hope is that participants will take the time to reflect their lives and truly envision in their minds that they are truly living the dream. According to Hicks, self reflection is the driving force and meaning of this event. The main questions in which they wish for participants to answer after the march is whether they are living the dream the way Dr. King would have wanted them to, and whether the community as a whole is working together and living in unity for the betterment of all? This is a tradition which the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has been celebrating for over a decade.

At the conclusion of the event there will be a brief discussion and reception held in Riddick Hall as participants share their thoughts and feelings about Dr. King as well as the march. This is one of the many events that have taken place over the holiday in the Triangle area. Dr. King once said “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”