JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hundreds of people lined the streets in downtown Jacksonville on Monday to take in the 39th Annual MLK Holiday Grand Parade Day parade. The event celebrating the life and legacy of the Civil Right’s leader attracted people from across northeast Florida today.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation organized the event that began at 10 a.m. at Daily’s Place Amphitheater on Bay Street and concluded just over two hours later at Johnson Street near the Prime Osborn Convention Center. There were floats, bands played, cheerleaders cheered and schools and community organizations walked step-by-step to honor the life and legacy and life of Dr. King.
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. represented everyone,” parade participant Sabrina Zinamon said. “So everyone should be participating, not just black; not just white. But it was unity for all of us to come together as one.”
“We want to make sure that the children keep the dream alive, and that generation after generation continue to fight for equality,” participant Cynthia Vann said.
While King was assassinated 52 people years go, people at Monday’s parade said it is up to bold old and young to keep his dream alive.
“We have come a long way, but there’s still so much to do in terms of race relations," parade attendee Kevin Boston said. "And I think that if we continue to try and do what we doing, things will get better. But there’s still a lot of work, and I’m sure everyone would agree with that.”
“He made us see that it doesn’t matter how different you are or what your skin color is just to be together,” said Malayah George, who attended the parade.
Other MLK Day events in Northeast Florida
A day of service called Paint the Town on MLK Day was held in Northwest Jacksonville. The Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corporation and National Health Corps Florida AmeriCorps invited the community to join them from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Organizers and residents painted eight homes in the Riverview neighborhood. Click here for more information.
“It’s heeding the call of someone who says, ‘Can you help me?’ And you saying, ‘Yes, absolutely,” said Dustin Arceneaux, with National Health Corps Florida AmeriCorps.
RELATED: Volunteers paint homes in Northwest Jacksonville to honor Martin Luther King Jr.
The Timucuan Parks Foundation held a MLK Day of Service Volunteer Project at Hanna Park. The nonprofit organization and the city of Jacksonville led projects, including invasive plant removal, trail maintenance and shoreline cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park at 500 Wonderwood Dr. V
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens offered free art engagement activities and special commemorations from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission. Highlights included art-making activities, live music, demonstrations by artists, and complimentary trolley transportation between the Cummer Museum and the Ritz Theatre and Museum. Ecumenical prayers for peace, coordinated with OneJax, were held at 3 p.m. at both locations.
A Remembrance March started at AME Church at 11:30 a.m., 86 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. in Lincolnville to the Plaza de la Constitucion, 170 St. George St., in the city’s center square. Speakers were featured in the gazebo from noon until 2 p.m.
In Fernandina Beach, the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade began at noon at Peck Center, 516 S. 10th St. It moved up Ash, South Second and Centre streets.
In St. Augustine, the 35th Annual Commemorative Breakfast Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was held at the Mark W. Lance Armory, 190 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. The guest speaker was Fedrick C. Ingram, president of the Florida Education Association.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office shared photos from the parade honoring King in Palatka. From Sheriff Gator DeLoach, to the youngest residents, dozens donned hats, shirts and banners, remembering the slain civil rights leader.
MLK Day march in Tallahassee
Hundreds marched to the state Capitol on Monday morning in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The march comes days after the Florida Supreme Court ruled a voter-approved constitutional amendment does require felons to pay all fines, fees and restitution before getting their right to vote restored.
The march was an opportunity to recognize the achievements of the late civil rights leader, as well as highlight ongoing injustices. Many in attendance, such as state Rep. Loranne Ausley, said the most pressing issue is the legal battle over the restoration of felons’ voting rights.
“Our Legislature is making this impossible for some by requiring payment of all fines, fees and restitution,” Ausley said.
Lawmakers included the financial requirements last year when implementing Amendment. While the state Supreme Court ruling upheld lawmakers’ decision to include the payment of financial obligations for voting rights restoration, civil rights activists believe the fight isn’t over.
“We have to stand up and say that it’s not right. Everybody deserves a second chance,” said Adner Marcelin, president of the Tallahassee branch of the NAACP.
Former Leon County Elections Supervisor Ion Sancho is hopeful a challenge at the federal level will strike down the financial requirements.
“Fortunately, we do have federal courts which look at the constitutional issues, which the Florida Supreme Court chose not to address at all,” Sancho said.
Some -- such as state Rep. Jamie Grant, who sponsored the initial Amendment 4 implementing bill -- argue if financial obligations are part of the amendment, the whole amendment could be struck down.
“They have threatened the very existence of Amendment 4 because if, in fact, any financial obligation prior to the ability to vote for a felon is a violation of the 24th Amendment, then Amendment 4 on its face is a poll tax,” Grant said.
The case is set for trial in April. A federal judge has asked the Florida Legislature to act to ensure anyone unable to pay their financial obligations can still vote. It’s not clear how lawmakers intend to address the issue.