Matt Hamilton/Daily Citizen-NewsTyree Goodlett, middle, talks with guests before the start of the banquet on Saturday.

DALTON, Ga. — “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools,” one attendee read during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. banquet Saturday night at the Mack Gaston Community Center in Dalton.

“A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live,” another read.

Some of most memorable words of the late civil rights leader echoed through the room as attendees read different passages that were inserted into their banquet programs.

MLK committee member Debbie Madden called the audience “a beautiful bouquet of flowers.”

“I love to see all the unity in the room,” she said. “We are in the same room, live in the same community and our kids attend school together. All of our lives are intertwined together.”

The theme of the banquet was “Linked Together: With visions of a progressive future.”

During his keynote address, Dalton City Council member Tyree Goodlett said it’s important to remember what keeps people linked together.

“When we only care about what’s in and around our house and not about the community, that’s not linked together,” he said. “When we only care about our social circle and not the circle of life, that’s not being linked together.”

Goodlett, a Dalton native, was elected to serve on the Ward 3 seat in the November 2015 general election. He’s the first African-American on the council, but Goodlett said that’s not why he ran.

“I ran for City Council because I care about the people and this city,” he said. “When we care about our side of the tracks and not about the other side of town, that’s not being linked together.”

Tom Pinson, director of the community center, said he’s known Goodlett most of his life.

“He’s always had an interest in family and community,” Pinson said. “He’s always wanted our community to look good.”

Pinson said when Goodlett was a little boy he joked with him about being the mayor of Dalton one day.

“I think he’s well on his way to fulfilling that dream,” Pinson said.

Dalton State College sophomore Diego Alvarado, who was attending the banquet for the first time, said the room was full of “energy and unison.”

“I don’t know anyone here, but felt like I could go up and talk to anyone,” he said.

Alvarado said he’s grateful for the opportunity to honor King’s legacy.

“He (King) wanted peace and acceptance regardless of your race,” Alvarado said. “He wanted us to treat each other like brothers.”

Sandra Pride of Rocky Face, another first-time banquet attendee, said she enjoyed the fellowship and message.

“We can’t accomplish anything in cliques,” Pride said. “Everyone needs to work together and keep the link strong.”