Photo by Deb Gau During a presentation on music in the Civil Rights Movement, Natanya Williams and Natalia Williams helped the audience keep the beat with a tambourine. More photos on page A8.

MARSHALL — The message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is one that’s still alive today. And people at a Saturday event at the Marshall-Lyon County Library didn’t just get a chance to hear it — they got a chance to participate, with living history talks, songs and even a mock Civil Rights march.

The event, called “I Am King’s Dream,” helped to kick off the Martin Luther King Jr. Week of Service and Civic Engagement. The week of service, presented by the Southwest Minnesota State University Office of Diversity and Inclusion, continues with community events today, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Music was a big part of Saturday’s program. And that was because music played an important part in the Civil Rights movement, said speaker Sharice McCain.

Singing songs at marches or rallies was one way civil rights activists helped spread their message or keep themselves motivated, McCain said. She taught the audience a few famous songs sung by Civil Rights marchers.

“Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” is known as the “Black National Anthem,” McCain said, “But some people don’t know that it was a major song for the Civil Rights movement.” Other songs used by marchers included “We Shall Not Be Moved” and “We Shall Overcome.”

The imagery in the words of the songs, McCain said, “Helps you to remember the message, of why people were getting together.” The song lyrics can also be changed to represent different groups and purposes, she said.

Audience members brainstormed some of their own lyrics — like “separate is not equal,” and “access for all people” — to sing in a march through the library’s community room.

Later, area high school students in the Upward Bound program got into character, portraying Civil Rights leaders in a living museum tour.

Students had researched and prepared talks about the lives and contributions of leaders like Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, W.E.B. DuBois and Rep. John Lewis. Some students even wore costumes to help with their portrayals.

“It’s been a really good experience. We learned a lot,” said Marshall High School student Maisa Abdallah. Abdallah and Worthington High School student Jessica Ventura were giving talks on Civil Rights leaders Medgar Evers and Myrlie Evers.

At a different spot on the tour, students Rahel Hailemariam and James Lor were working together to give a talk about Rosa Parks.

“I started talking about Rosa first, and then we’d switch off,” Lor said.

Lor said sharing Parks’ message of needing to overcome racism was an important part of their presentation.

“I think talking to children and parents is important,” he said.

The Week of Service and Civic Engagement will continue today at SMSU, with events including the MLK Breakfast, and community service work opportunities. The Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir will give a concert in the SMSU Fine Arts Theatre at 6:30 p.m.