Thousands lined Tampa-area streets Monday to celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who changed race relations for new generations.
- Thousands celebrate life, legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- 30th annual parade went through East Tampa to MLK Jr. Boulevard
- Mayor Bob Buckhorn: MLK's life, message are role models for us all
The 30th annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade took floats and parade-goers through East Tampa and eventually to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
From community groups to activists, elected leaders and local schools, people across the Tampa Bay area turned out to honor King's message.
"There are a lot of people who still believe in love," said Alex Harris, instructor at The Art's Conservatory for Teens. "There are a lot of people who still believe in peace and believe in unity."
Another parade-goer said, "He was more than an African-American leader. He was a leader in helping change the world in love and peace, not through hate and violence."
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn marched the 2 1/2-mile parade route.
"The message that he sent, and the life that he led — and his walk — really is a role model for all of us," Buckhorn said. "Not only the nonviolence part of it, but the fact that we are all in this together."
King was assassinated in 1968. A celebration of his life started in 1971 in some states; however, it wasn't until 1983 that a bill was signed to create a federal holiday honoring King. The federal holiday was first observed three years later and now falls on the third Monday of January each year.
The 30th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade route was 2 1/2 miles and traveled from East Tampa to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. (Jason Lanning, staff)