Long Beach’s 20th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade exhibited the best of the community’s spirit and diversity, drawing a huge crowd to celebrate and remember the legacy of the leader of the Civil Rights Movement.
Senator Alan Lowenthal was one of the many city officials and dignitaries paraded in drop-top lowriders and classic cars – an homage to Long Beach’s historic car culture.
Crowds lined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to celebrate his human rights efforts.
Classic Lincolns and Cadillacs on hydraulics bounced down the street to the delight and cheers of onlookers.
The Beach City Motorcycle Club included nearly 100 bikes and riders of all shapes, providing a little fuel-injection to the parade.
Dozens of golden-spoked, flashy lowriders participated – a largely Hispanic tradition in a historically Black celebration, proving that Dr. King’s contributions crossed all racial boundaries.
What’s a parade without a vintage fire engine?
Four local high schools entered their JROTC, marching bands, flag squads and cheerleaders to the festivities. An lbpost.com column questioned the practice of bringing weapons to a peaceful Martin Luther King Jr. parade, but the display demonstrated skill rather than force and was met with cheers from the crowd.
Wilson High was one of four local high school marching bands to participate, each injecting life and excitement into the crowd during lulls in the march.
Aspiring future cheerleaders were all smiles on the beautiful day of celebration.
The crowd on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave was three or four people deep for miles, and it often took only a drum beat for onlookers to break into dance.
In the spirit of Dr. King and his method of peaceful resistance and demonstration, the Gray Panthers advocated for Senior Rights.
“It wasn’t that long ago that Dr. King was standing up and reminding us what we’re all entitled to,” said Congresswoman and former 6th District Councilwoman Laura Richardson.
The Long Beach Drum Corps impressed the crowd with its focus and skill.
All it takes is a beat…
Children display traditional dress and dance.
Sixth Councilman Dee Andrews stopped two youngsters during last summer’s Juneteenth celebration and asked them what the holiday meant to them. “Hot dogs and cotton candy,” was the response, and Andrews aimed to give the MLK parade a more poignant message.
A chorus of “We Shall Overcome” swept through the crowd multiple times.
Unwelcome in November’s Veterans’ Day Parade, the Iraq Veterans Against The War demonstrators marched for their cause – and were met with cheers and applause.
Tommy and CoolAid The Clown dancing crews lifted spirits with Soulja Boy’s “Crank That” blasting out of the massive speakers in their trucks. A mob of young dancers flooded the streets to party.
The parade ended in King Park, nicknamed “Dreamland” for the day in honor of Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech. Dozens of non-profits, vendors and other groups had booths, and vendors offered ribs, sausages, Cajun catfish and more.
Dr. King, an extremely well-educated man, always spoke of the importance of knowledge and understanding.
“God has put his hands on this lady,” Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews said about Congresswoman Laura Richardson during a Dreamland speech – the event was MC’ed by lbpost.com’s own Erroll Parker and served as the grand finale to Peace Week.
