MLK March: East Side pastor's involvement spans years

Larry Thompson shares memories over the years

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio's annual Martin Luther King Jr. March attracts hundreds of thousands of people, with organizers calling it the largest in the nation.

For pastor Larry Thompson, the march has been a part of his life for as far back as he can remember.

He is pictured alongside his twin brother in his earliest memory watching the people go by from his grandparents' porch.

As Thompson got older, the march got bigger.

His fondest memory happened two years ago, preaching to the crowds as King had done.

"Dr. King, who was able to really believe in what he was saying, and really was able to inspire people, and touch people by not being able to see things, but just being able to believe what he couldn't see," said Thompson, pastor of Tree Mount Temple Church.

It's faith in humanity, Thompson said, that brings hundreds of thousands of people together every year to march in unity through tradition.

"A hope that whatever is going wrong right now or whatever could be better right now, we just are coming together hoping we can make it better than what it was yesterday," Thompson said.

Thompson is a product of San Antonio. His congregation continues to grow and is now close to 300 attendees. He said his parishioners serve at the march in any way they can.

"If it's just from setting up equipment, to setting up the stage, cleaning up trash, speaking, just having a smile," Thompson said.

For many, their involvement spans years; marching with faith and holding onto that hope of King's dream that embraces everyone.

The march is set for Monday at 10 a.m. It starts at the MLK Academy and ends at Pittman-Sullivan Park. Click here for more information.