New London – About 70 people, including clergy and politicians, marched this morning from the City Hall steps to the pews of Shiloh Baptist Church to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.The marchers sang "We Shall Overcome" as they made their way up State Street, stopping at the courthouse for a brief speech, then continued up Broad Street, took a left on Cottage Street before gathering finally at the church for a two-hour ceremony.

The marchers sang "We Shall Overcome" as they made their way up State Street, stopping at the courthouse for a brief speech, then continued up Broad Street, took a left on Cottage Street before gathering finally at the church for a two-hour ceremony. Bishop Benjamin Watts of Shiloh Baptist asked those gathered to eschew frivolity on the federal holiday and instead recall King's struggle for racial equality and human rights.

Bishop Benjamin Watts of Shiloh Baptist asked those gathered to eschew frivolity on the federal holiday and instead recall King's struggle for racial equality and human rights. "Use this as a day of service and commemoration," he said.

"Use this as a day of service and commemoration," he said. The crisis in Haiti also loomed large during both the march and service.

The crisis in Haiti also loomed large during both the march and service. "We should show our love and compassion (to the Haitian people)," Watts said.

"We should show our love and compassion (to the Haitian people)," Watts said.