CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP held its annual rally, march and service Monday to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

The event began at the Peace and Justice Plaza. Attendees of the event then marched down Franklin Street to First Baptist Church.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP branch President Herman Foushee said the group has been holding the event since the 1960s.

Foushee said not only does this mean a lot to the organization but to him as well. He met King when he was 13. 

“What I know now is what they were doing is what we have always been taught is to fight for what’s right,” Foushee said. “Do what’s right, even if it’s not popular.”

Foushee said the fight continues. 

“We are still fighting for equality, and we want to remind people that fighting for equality has not ended, and in order to keep doing this we have to come out and show a force,” Foushee said. 

But, he said the fight can’t be done alone, and he is encouraging more members of the community to join as this tradition continues. 

“We would like to see more people come back out and be reminded that they need to participate. The organization itself can’t do it by itself,” Foushee said. “We need the community.”

There was a commemoration day service at the First Baptist Church following the rally. Leaders from the town attended the event, including Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee.