MIAMI (WSVN) - South Floridians came together on Monday to honor the life and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of celebration and service.
With action, determination, and a dream, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stands as one of the most prestigious civil rights leaders in our nation’s history.
In return for his contributions toward the advancement of racial justice and harmony, President Ronald Regan declared the third Monday in January a federal holiday in 1983.
Historically, Americans honor Dr. King by doing an act of good to promote peace and community.
In what’s become a South Florida tradition, visitors and residents have annually held parades and taken over the roadways riding motorcycles and off-highway vehicles to spread a “Wheels Up, Guns Down” message throughout Broward and Miami-Dade County.
Miami’s Liberty City neighborhood will host their annual parade under the theme “Never Give Up on the Dream” starting at 11a.m. starting at Northwest Seventh Avenue and marching along Northwest 54th Street to 32nd Avenue.
The route follows the path king once traveled during his frequent visits there.
“Martin Luther King Day is a pivotal part of our lives, my life,” said Yvette Grant, who attended the parade. “It’s not just about walking up and down this road. It’s about teaching them who Dr. Martin Luther King was.”
“He was for all people. No religion, color, creed. He was always a god-sent man and if he could do it again, the world would be a better place,” said Elizabet Colliere, who also attended the Liberty City parade.
Vendors were also happy to serve the people who were reminiscing on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
“I love it. It’s fun, it’s excitement, it’s Miami. MLK,” said Lanitha Scanes.
Other parades were also held in Miami and up north in Fort Lauderdale and Deerfield Beach to remember the civil rights leader who fought for equality and justice.
“If it wasn’t for Mr. King, we’d probably be a little further behind than we are right now,” said John Salgado, Senior Naval Science Instructor at Nova High School in Davie.
In Plantation, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority held a day of service in Martin Luther King Jr’s honor.
The group restored a mobile garden for elderly patients at the Plantation Nursing and Rehab Center.
“This was one of his mottos. To be of service to all mankind which is the organization’s motto as well. So it is so vital and important for us to be here and spread love, joy, peace all around and that’s what Martin Luther King is all about,” said Tracy Roach, President of AKA Sorority Inc. Chi Psi Omega Chapter.
The sorority also delivered blankets to pediatric patients, showing their gratitude through service to others.
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