On Thursday evening
Channel 9's Mario Boone spoke with one family who was with King before his speech.
"I was excited to be there to listen to him," said Dr. Charlie Jean Salter.
Salter was in the crowd that day.
"He spoke from his heart, and it really touched my heart," said Salter.
Salter's son Clinton was with her to hear King's speech. He was 8 years old at the time.
"I was very much aware of who he was," said Clinton Salter.
Threats of violence kept many of Orlando's black residents away.
"And when he got done he said, 'Oh, I see Orlando is not ready for civil rights, and I won't be back,' and he didn't come back here after that," said Charlie Jean Salter
Other big names like Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, and Hank Aaron also played or trained at the ballpark, which is why Tinker Field was added to the National Registry of Historic Places.
It's that historical significance the Salters and hundreds more want spared from the city's wrecking ball.
"We've got to make sure that vestiges of history are maintained," said Clinton Salter.
A march and rally are being held Thursday.
The rally is planned to begin around 5 p.m.
WFTV
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