JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — Monday was a day of celebration, remembrance, and community for those in Jefferson Parish as they observed Martin Luther King Day. The Jefferson Parish MLK Day parade returned Monday afternoon, for the first time since 2019, after the parade had been canceled multiple times due to COVID and Hurricane Ida.
While most kids didn’t have school Monday, they shared with WWL what impact Dr. King has had on them and the world.
“He was trying to get people to have a better life,” one said.
“I’m happy that Martin Luther King’s actions and stuff didn’t go to waste,” Ah’ziriah said.
Residents lined the streets as local organizations, bands and more marched from L.W. Higgins High School to Johnny Jacobs Playground.
Paradegoers reflected on what the day meant to them.
“I think it’s a day of service and I think his dream is alive today and I think It’s another day for us to serve our community no matter who you are what your status is, serve your community,” Keyana, a parade attendee said.
“For me it is truly a day of reflection and I really want to think about if I’m doing something to bring his dream alive. Being in the school system I have many opportunities to help bring that dream alive,” Jacquenette Green, a parade attendee said.
Some of Green’s students participated in the parade, allowing her to see the possibilities and reality of keeping Dr. King’s dream alive.
“It’s an honor to see them put their best foot forward. Seeing them to this moment and knowing that it opens the door for them to do something greater like high school or the collegiate ever,” Green said.
Paradegoers say the day is about community and they were happy to experience that all day, but they hope that sentiment reigns long after the parade.
“Get together and fellowship and unite and make the bad world a good world,” Robert Smith said.
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