Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington
- Nura Staff
- Jan 17, 2017
- 1 min read
In Washington DC, residents honored Dr. King during its 11th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on January 16th. The tradition began over 30 years ago by radio host Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene, Washington Informer publisher Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, and former Council member Wihelmina J. Rolark in 1979. Current publisher of the Washington Informer, Denise Rolark-Barnes, has picked up the family torch, among city leaders, to ensure the event is an annual success. The parade is held on one of the nation's first streets named after Dr. King from the Rise Center to Anacostia, an area rich of American American History. Notably, the annual celebration precedes the national holiday.
Like most parades, the streets were filled with school teams, bands, state title holders, community sponsors, and non-profit organizations on the cloudy Monday. After a controversial Presidential election, however, Martin Luther King Ave rallied protesters, picket signs and outspoken individuals pleading for positive change in the United States of America. It was a day of celebration and hope for better days ahead. "The only thing missing is Marion Barry riding down the street on his horse; he loved horses.", explained a woman watching with her grandchildren.
MLK Parade Gallery
