HOUSTON – The nation is honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday with parades and events in various cities from coast to coast.
In Houston, two prominent parades – one in downtown and another in midtown - that have been in the city for 25 years are taking place just blocks from each other.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner made it clear that he is throwing his support behind the “original” downtown MLK parade hosted by the Black Heritage Society, which is celebrating its 41st year.
"In the spirit of Dr. King's work to unite everyone, I met with representatives of different groups and tried to combine the groups into one grand magnificent parade,” Turner said. “In the end, we decided it is time for the city just to stand and put its official seal behind one."
The parade started at 10 a.m. with thousands lined the streets to watch the event that featured U.S. Rep. John Lewis and Astros right fielder George Springer as grand marshals.
Bridgette Warner, one of the spectators, said, "(I want) for us to have unity, for everyone to be together - blacks, whites, Chinese, Mexicans – we’re all one ... living his dream.”
Another spectator told KPRC2 she was using the parade and holiday to teach her kids about history.
"I really want my kids to know their history,” she said. “So I’m bringing them out to enjoy themselves."
The downtown parade started at City Hall in downtown and circled around to Walker Street, Milam Street and Louisiana Street before finishing at the Heritage Plaza on Bagby Street and Dallas Street.
The city’s second prominent parade is the MLK Grande Parade, which is smaller but has also been known to attract thousands of spectators, including well-known politicians.
This parade is celebrating its 25th year in Houston. It started at 10 a.m. just a few blocks away at the intersection of San Jacinto Street and Elgin Street, then traveled north on San Jacinto.
It consisted of 15 parade floats and 30 marching bands. Turner has attended this parade in the past but did not attend the 2019 parade.
