MIAMI – Since 1977, long before Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a federal holiday, Miami’s historically-Black Liberty City neighborhood has played host to a parade in the civil rights leader’s honor.
Monday continued the tradition.
Parade President Ladi Jenkins recalled traveling to Atlanta all those years ago.
“I met with Mrs. King, got permission from her to be able to start the Dr. Martin Luther King parade,” Jenkins said.
Now it’s one of the oldest and largest in the country. It covers some of the ground King covered in his many visits to South Florida.
“It just seems like it’s a bright, sunny shiny day, which it is, in the hearts of people, because they are here to celebrate the dream,” Jenkins said.
Paradegoer Kay Smith, who attends every year, said King “did a lot for us.”
“I enjoy it, because this is my freedom,” Smith said. “I was in school when he died, so I remember.”
The youngest paradegoers also reflected on the day’s importance ― and the importance of celebrating King.
“It’s a very good day to celebrate,” Adisa Bodden, 10, said. “Come with everybody here and have a good time.”
Adisa’s mother, Sylvia, said, “We’re all Americans, here, and this is what we do — and that’s support each other, and celebrate each other.”
Facing the rising sun of a new — albeit a bit cloudy — day, the parade marches on until victory is won.
“We’ve come a long way but we, yet, have a long way to go,” Jenkins said.
Meanwhile, in Fort Lauderdale, residents held a parade of their own.
Fort Lauderdale parade:
The parade made its way down the heart of historic Sistrunk Boulevard, where security was extra tight following a threat made less than an hour before the parade’s start time.
Erika Walker, a parade attendee, shared her thoughts: ”This is his first time at a parade, so I wanted him to come out and experience the culture of it all.”
Aymon Wilcox, another attendee, added: ”I’m enjoying myself, I’m having a good time. I think it’s a good vibe.”
Hundreds lined the streets along Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale Monday, gathering to celebrate the life and legacy of King.
Tammy Avery, one of the attendees, said, ”Well, I don’t always get this day off, so luckily I was blessed to have it off this year, and I took advantage of that. I wanted to come out and just see everybody celebrate.”
Mack, a lifelong resident of Franklin Park who only wished to share his first name, shared his perspective, ”I think it was really dope. I’m born and raised here in Franklin Park. We do this every year. It’s good to see the community come back out here and have a good time.”
Overcast skies didn’t stop people from coming out to commemorate the civil rights icon.
As in previous years, the parade followed the route along Sistrunk, the heart of the city’s oldest African-American community.
While security is always tight, this year’s parade featured an increased law enforcement presence after officers reported receiving a threat about an hour before the event was set to begin.
Fort Lauderdale police’s Threat Response Unit is now investigating to track down the source of the threat.
As an added precaution, Fort Lauderdale police placed extra security along the parade route, including having officers block off the side streets using their vehicles.
The threat wasn’t enough to stop the parade, which went forward as planned. Dignitaries, first responders, and marching bands filled the streets in celebration.
The event brought together people of all ages to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
Erika Walker summed up the spirit of the day.
”You see all the people gathered together,” she said. “We don’t know one another, but we’re here. We’re standing for what he believed in.”
Following the parade, organizers and attendees continued the festivities with a large multicultural celebration at Carter Park.
Despite the gloomy weather, nothing could keep the community from celebrating the life of the civil rights icon.