Increased security expected at DeLand events

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Increased security expected at DeLand events
BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN

BY ZOEY RITCHIE

What began as a chaotic morning transformed into a beautiful display of community during DeLand’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Unity March, which took place on Monday, Jan. 20. Around 9:45 a.m., just as the march was to begin, a large power outage took out all of Downtown DeLand. Some march-goers were also somewhat surprised to see a larger police force than normal with several officers walking alongside the march with long guns.

“There was no credible threat to the MLK March itself, but after New Orleans, our team discussed how we could enhance security protocols,” DeLand Public Information Officer Chris Graham told The Beacon.

Still, many participants, both young and old, braved the bitter cold and overcast streets of DeLand, to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm, with singing and smiles brightening the city as they made their way down the streets.

The march started at 10:30 a.m. at the Museum of Art, stretching through Downtown DeLand and concluding at Earl Brown Park, where an MLK Day celebration was held. The March featured local groups such as the DeLand Quakers and regional organizations including the Sister Building Network and the Man Up Mentoring Inc. and many others.

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