The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade is always a vibrant celebration of life and community, but yesterday’s edition brought just a little more excitement with the coming inauguration of Barack Obama. Thousands of Long Beach residents lined the parade route and gathered afterwards at King Park, many wearing t-shorts with Obama’s image next to King’s – the words “A Dream Realized” floating above their portraits.
“Today was a special day because all of the Civil Rights work done up until today is making Martin Luther King’s dream not ust a dream, but a reality,” said Naomi Rainey, President of the Long Beach branch of the NAACP. Rainey served as the parade’s Grand Marshall and is currently heading to Washington D.C. to attend the Inauguration.
“What a wonderful reality that any of us can vote, receive an education and ascend to the highest position in America.”
The sun beat down on King Park in excess of 80-degrees, but it didn’t deter the thousands of people who had come out to participate in the celebration. The south area served as the main stage where speakers such as Councilman Dee Andrews – whose office hosted the event – Congresswoman Laura Richardson and Rainey addressed the masses. Food trailers offering everything from pizza and ribs to catfish dinners lined up along the park fences. The north side was deemed “Dreamland” and had activities, games and dance contests for children.
Andrews’ chief of staff John Edmunds estimated that between 15-16,000 people attended the parade and fair afterwards.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor