In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (RC CASA) will lead a march down Main Street in Columbia on Aug. 28 – 51 years after the words were originally spoken.

The event aims to show support for the futures of Richland County’s youth by remembering Dr. King’s works of advocacy and justice.

Participants will gather at the County’s Judicial Center on Main Street. Richland County Council members, along with other elected County and Columbia officials, will lead the march toward the Statehouse, where Gov. Nikki Haley is scheduled to speak in support of CASA’s mission of serving the best interests of abused and neglected children.

“Our goal is to send a collaborative message that South Carolina cares about our children,” RC CASA Director Paige Greene said. “We are hopeful to have a large representation of child advocates, corporate partners, schools, hospitals, law enforcement and anyone who would like to participate with us.”

Greene encourages participants to bring signs and banners that state “their personal dream for our children.”

For more than 30 years, Richland County CASA has recruited, screened, trained and provided legal representation for Guardians ad Litem that are appointed through Family Court. CASA volunteers work to ensure abused and neglected children are presented with safe, permanent, nurturing homes.

Registration for the “I Have a Dream” event will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Judicial Center, 1701 Main St. The march will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude around 10 a.m.

For more information, visit www.rccasa.org or call RC CASA at (803) 576-1735.