York dedicates street to MLK Jr., ‘This dream has a new generation’

On the 63rd anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the York community celebrated a street dedication to honor and continue the activist’s legacy.

• Haley O'Brien/WITF
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  Haley O'Brien joined WITF in 2026. A native of Scranton, she enjoys exploring Pennsylvania's diverse communities. Haley previously worked at NPR/PBS stations in Northeast Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, and has won awards for video storytelling and beat reporting.

The City of York dedicated a street to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to honor the civil rights activist’s legacy and encourage future generations to carry on his work.  

More than 100 community members, students, and officials gathered at Penn Park on Friday morning for the unveiling on the 63rd anniversary of his “I Have a Dream” speech, which called for equality, justice and unity. 

The sign honorarily renames West College Avenue at the corner of South Beaver Street.  

Mayor Sandie Walker, who was sworn in this January, said the street renaming is in coordination with America’s 250th anniversary events honoring the nation’s history. 

The Martin Luther King Jr. Street committee chose to put the sign right outside of William Penn High School.  

“This is a well-traveled street in our community, but more importantly, it’s about our youth,” Walker said. “It’s important for our young people to know the history so that it won’t repeat.” 

York’s youth drill team, Temple Guard, performed before the ceremony along with the York High School marching band and color guard.  

Speakers recalled King’s speech from Aug. 28, 1963 and noted its relevance today. 

Pastor William Kerney is a member of the committee. 

“Let freedom ring on College Avenue,” he said. “And let this street forever remind us that Dr. King’s dream was not simply a dream to remember. It is a responsibility for each generation to carry forward.”  

“This dream has a new generation and the work must continue,” said Sherry Washington, president of the York County NAACP. 

“We’re making a statement about who we are, what we value, what we remember, and what we will no longer tolerate,” she said. “We have to address things and name them in order for progress to happen.“ 

Jamie Beecher, who grew up in York, stood in the crowd carrying a sign that read “I Have a Dream.” 

“So much of that speech is still not fully realized in 2026, but the dream still exists and we still keep working towards it,” she said. 

York plans to hold similar events in the future in collaboration with the King Center’s King100, a national campaign in celebration of Dr. King and his wife’s 100th birthday.  

“Our children will walk this street. Families will travel it. Future generations will see the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Walker said. “My hope is that his name will inspire them to learn his story, understand his sacrifice, and continue his work.”