On the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s death, a group of Mississippi teens are paying homage to the civil rights icon by marching from North Mississippi to Memphis, Tenn.

According to the Clarion Ledger, the six participating teens vary in age from 14-19 and consist of middle school, high school and college students. They are escorted by two adult mentors, police cars, support vans and a portable restroom as they make the 50-mile trudge from Highway 61 to the Mississippi-Memphis border.

Of the six students, five are black and one is white.

Wednesday will mark the 50th anniversary of the day King was murdered while standing on the balcony of the old Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Each mile walked by the teens will represent a year that’s passed since King was gunned down. Students set out on the four-day journey on Saturday, walking 10-15 miles per day, spending their evenings participating in community meetings after they finish for the day and sleeping in hotels.

The teens will convene at a youth rally Tuesday. On Wednesday, they will participate in activities at the National Civil Rights Museum — the former Lorraine Motel — where thousands are expected to visit in honor of the late leader.

"Our hope is to not only honor all that Dr. King achieved, but to be part of continuing his work," said Jarvis Ward, president of the Pearson Foundation, a community service organization based in Pearl, Mississippi. "We want to show how racial justice, economic justice and racial reconciliation can be advanced in and by the next generation."

Eighteen-year-old Benjamin Rutledge said Dr. King “changed a lot of our viewpoints here in America."

"I like doing events that challenge me and improve my character, and allow me to meet people too," Rutledge added.

"It's a way to show people that you can have friendships with different people of different backgrounds, different races, on all levels," said Damonte Steele, a 15-year-old sophomore at Pearl High School.

The teens are wearing turquoise shirts, backpacks and holding "March to Memphis" signs.

Motorists passing the marchers have shown the teens tons of support.

Linda Stanton, who watched the group as she and her dog stood outside her trailer, said the teens' efforts were special.

"Smart kids trying to help the future," she said.

Smart indeed — Dr. King would be proud.

student activism

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