The morning parade was the first activity of sunny day's shinning celebrations of the life of Martin Luther King Jr, an American clergyman and activist who devoted his life's work to causes of equality and social justice and now has become a human right icon. The parade took place through downtown San Diego, one of the newest dynamic metropolitan areas in the country. This annual parade aims to celebrate civil rights icon's legacy. Other outstanding events were a festival, a day of service, and a special honor.
The 30th yearly Martin Luther Kind Day Parade was full of marching bands and representatives of various groups such as college organizations and lowrider car club. The Zeta Sigma Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity was the sponsor of this 30th parade.
LaToya Alston who watched the parade said that she and her daughter Ayress were attempting to support the King's dream of unifying cultures and nationalities. Approximately 3,000 participants especially the young joined the parade.
According to parade committee co-chairman Robert Matthews, the number of youths played a significant role in this event. A five-line deep crowd circled the announcers' stage on J Street.
Parade-goers could enjoy the 12th San Diego Multicultural Festival without traveling for a long distance. At the festival, they could enjoy special music and dance performances as well as 80 food and resource booths. CCDC spokesman Derek Danziger told that the aims of the festival were to celebrate San Diego's rich cultures and mobilize people go downtown. The festival has been celebrated annually and this year it expected to attract about 20,000 attendees. He believed that there would be a good synergy between the parade and festival is held separately from each other.
A group of volunteers traveled to National City for a Day of Service to support the renovation and maintenance of the historic Stein Family Farm where children can pick fruit and vegetables, feed farm animals.
