Baltimore Residents Honor Martin Luther King With Parade
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Hundreds of people across Baltimore came in droves to remember Martin Luther King at the annual parade in his honor.
Rochelle Ritchie was there for all the excitement.
Many who came out Monday remember the powerful leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the fight for civil rights. They say they're happy to see his legacy still being honored 47 years after his death.
The celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. started off with a bang as young musicians from several high schools played in his honor.
"He inspires me to fight for what I believe in. He believed we should all live in peace and equal and that is what he fought for until his last breath," said Danyelle Taylor.
Along MLK Boulevard and Eutaw Street, hundreds of people gathered to watch the parade.
"I think it is important that all blacks and whites are equal so we should respect that and we should show the world how everyone should live," said Emily Schecker.
"It's a beautiful day that we are having," said Antoinette Carey. "Martin Luther King was one of the best civil rights fighters."
In the crowd were many who recalled the Jim Crow era of inequality and segregation.
"I remember crying one time because I wished I was white because I saw how things went well for them and how things didn't go well for me," said John El.
John El is 68 and a former lieutenant in the Black Panthers party during the civil rights movement. He says Monday is a celebration of how far America has come, yet a reminder of how far we have to go.
"We got a ways to go but at least the chains are not on and now we have to free our mind and think in terms of unity," said El.
Along the parade route, children looked on as adults taught them the legacy and history of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Because of people like Martin Luther King, they can grow up and be anything they want and their dreams can be realized in this country," said one woman.
The images of unity and peace are a constant reminder for spectators as the message Dr. King reiterated during his movement is instilled once again.
"May we find ways to end wars with non-violence," said Rebecca Owens.
The mayor and several members of the city council were also in attendance.
King was shot and killed in 1968. He was 39.