Thousands of Jacksonville families honor Martin Luther King Jr. at parade

Families all over Jacksonville honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday.

Many of them – bundled up in big coats and blankets -- braved cold temperatures at the parade in downtown Jacksonville.

“I think about when he marched in the storm, in the rain, in the snow, whatever it took he didn’t mind doing it and I don’t mind standing for him,” Veronica Price said. “Because he was truly a man of God.”

Price said she was 8 years old when King was assassinated.

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“My mother was plating my hair and she fell with her head down in my head in tears and she said, ‘Lord they killed Martin Luther King,’” she said.

Each year, she stands on the parade route in Jacksonville with his photo in her arms, to fulfill a promise she made to her mom that day. “I said, ‘Momma from this day forward, as long as I live, I’m going to do something to help celebrate and lift him up,’” she said.

As high school bands marched by and groups danced through the street, families reflected on Dr. King’s hard work and sacrifice.

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“He paved the way and we are definitely here to celebrate him,” Tawanna Brown said.

The parade was a day for fun and family, but with a deeper meaning.

“I thank God for this man. He laid down his life for us to have the freedom -- the rights,” Price said.

Cox Media Group