Parade and festival honor legacy of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr

The 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace & Unity Parade Celebration will take place on Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in Long Beach. This year, the parade’s theme is “Strength To Love”  — taken for Dr. King’s (1963) book published under the same name.

“I chose this theme to bring attention to the contents and teachings that this publication expresses,” said 6th District Council member Dee Andrews. “Dr. King’s book calls for a return to love. Its teachings focus on loving your enemies and it invites the reader to dive into a wellspring of information that can assist you to become a greater person for all.”

Simply said, “Its a pathway to peace”, Andrews explained, adding that one of his favorite quotes from the book is “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

The parade will begin on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue intersecting Anaheim Street, and is followed by a multicultural celebration at King Park located at 1950 Lemon Avenue.

The celebration in honor of Dr. King will be filled with music and dance performances; a children and teen area filled with free games and give-a-ways. There will be lots of food, general merchandise vending booths, and community services information. Along with a Health Fair, that will have a number of free health test and medical care information for all ages.

Last year, the Peace & Unity celebration attracted more than 20,000 people. This year, the week-long celebration will attract cultures from all over Long Beach to continue the legacy and teachings of a great leader, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.