Preparations Begin For Denver's Marade To Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.
DENVER (CBS4)- Organizers are preparing for the Martin Luther King Jr. Marade on Monday, Jan. 21. Denver hosts one of the largest celebrations in the nation.
The Marade celebrates Dr. King's marches through the South and his influence on civil rights. The annual event has filled Denver's streets since the 1980s.
Former Mayor Wellington Webb and former State Representative Wilma Webb joined leaders of the Martin Luther King Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission in City Park on Tuesday to discuss plans for this year's Marade. At the plaque near the statue, it appears someone intentionally scratched out King's face. Crews aren't sure when it happened but they're working on repairs and hope to be completed by Jan. 21.
The theme of this year's event is "We Cry Freedom." Thousands will march through the streets of Denver with that message along with social justice and equality.
There will be trained marshalls to ensure the safety of participants during the Marade.
"Some people didn't want to let the Klan march, but we said they have a right in the Constitution to assemble and to march. So they went on and they did their thing. But now they're gone and we're still here. So love does conquer hate," said Marade organizer Wilma Webb.
The Marade starts at the Nobel Prize winner's memorial in City Park, proceeds south out of City Park to Colfax Avenue, then west on Colfax to Civic Center Park. A program immediately follows the Marade in Civic Center Park's Greek Theater. The total Marade distance equals 5K.
There are food drives and clothing drives leading up to the Marade to honor King's dedication to service.
LINK: MLK Marade