Several Thousand Celebrate King With 'Marade' In Denver
DENVER (AP) — Several thousand people walked through snowy Denver to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in the city's 31st annual "Marade."
The crowd in the combination march and parade made its way down Colfax Avenue, chanting and holding signs expressing love for King and opposition to President-elect Donald Trump, The Denver Post reported.
"I'm still trying to process the election," said Danielle Ryan, a Denver resident who was participating for the sixth time in the event. "I like to come out to events like this because they give me energy."
The Denver Post reported that some in the crowd heckled Republican congressman Mike Coffman as he spoke because of his vote to repeal the federal health care law.
PHOTO GALLERY: Denver's 2017 Marade
Last year, demonstrators protesting the death of a man in Denver's jail briefly took over the stage during speeches traditionally delivered by lawmakers. The protesters yielded, but some in the crowd jeered Denver Mayor Michael Hancock when he spoke.
The crowd was smaller than in the last two years. Organizer Vern Howard blamed the weather and a disruption last year by Black Lives Matter.
Denver got several inches of snow but it eased by the time of the Marade.
On Monday evening, the National Western Stock Show will pay tribute to the heritage of America's black cowboys with its annual MLK Day rodeo.
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