On a cool Saturday morning more than 75 groups and organizations marched in the 28th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade in downtown Orlando.
The parade, which attracted thousands of Central Floridians, also consisted of several bands, floats and images depicting Dr. King’s life and work. The King Festival was held immediately after the parade at Lake Eola, which also drew a huge crowd.
Participants in the parade made their down Orange Avenue and Central Avenue, then up to Rosalind and back to Livingston Street.
New to this year’s parade was Occupy Orlando, including now ‘infamous’ Occupier Timothy Osmar, recently released from jail, after spending 18 days for writing on a sidewalk with chalk.
Florida Civil Rights Association president Willie David, III, also joined Occupiers and marched in the parade.
“We’re not walking,” said David. “We’re marching. We have a story to tell, and together we’ll be heard.”
Occupy Orlando has been occupying public spaces in Orlando since October 15, 2011, to peacefully call attention to issues of economic and social injustice — issues for which Dr. King tirelessly worked.
See some other events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., below:
Sunday, January 15, 2012
4:30 p.m. Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce Voter Registration Drive
Orlando City Hall, 400 South Orange Avenue
Presented by the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce. This event is free.
6:00 p.m. Candlelight Vigil and March***
Beginning at Orlando City Hall
Presented by Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission. This event is free.
Following the vigil, participants will march to Shiloh Baptist Church.
6:45 p.m. Multicultural Interfaith Celebration***
Shiloh Baptist Church, 604 West Jackson Street
Presented by the Interfaith Council of Central Florida. This event is free.
This event will feature speakers from various faiths reflecting on Dr. King’s life and legacy.
Monday, January 16, 2012
7:45 a.m. 21st Annual Arthur “Pappy” Kennedy Prayer Breakfast***
First Baptist Church of Orlando, 3000 South John Young Parkway
Presented by YMCA of Central Florida & Southwest Orlando Jaycees. There is a cost for this event.
10:00 a.m. Plant Seedlings for Civil Rights***
Mount Sinai Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2600 Orange Center Boulevard
Presented by the Mayor’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, Green-Up Orlando, Keep Orlando Beautiful & Green Works Orlando. This event is free.
Mayor Dyer will work-along with volunteers in an effort to clean up and spruce up the John Young Parkway corridor between Church Street and Orange Center Boulevard. Work will consist mostly of debris removal along the roadside and medians.
9:00 a.m. Parramore Community Volunteer Day
Florida A & M University College of Law, 201 Beggs Avenue
Presented by FAMU Law School. This event is free.
FAMU students and other volunteers will work on projects benefitting residents of the Parramore Community.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Song, Poetry and Dance
3:00 p.m. “Youth – Free From Drugs and Violence”
6:00 p.m. “God Is Calling You”
Jones High School, 801 South Rio Grande Avenue
Presented by Hope of Salvation, Inc. There is a cost for this event.
For more information or to volunteer, please call City of Orlando Office of Community Affairs at (407) 246-2500 or visit www.cityoforlando.net.
