Thousands braved chilly temperatures in City Park this morning to take part in Denver’s 27th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day “Marade.”
The celebration, which began at the King Memorial in City Park at 9 a.m., attracted a who’s who of Colorado politicians and dignitaries to honor the memory of the slain civil rights leader.
“He shone a light on injustice and he shone a light on the need for equality for all people and he showed us that fighting against injustice lifts all of us,” Colorado Senator Mark Udall said. “Marching in the marade every year reminds me of the importance of keeping up that fight.”
Gov. John Hickenlooper, hobbled by a recent back injury, didn’t actually march today, but he did address the crowd before it exited City Park at about 11 a.m.
“Today is not a day to take off. It’s our day to invest, to invest in our communities, our kids and our futures,” he said.
“This is also our day to invest in each other. The root of all justice is when people are willing to give not just take.”
The demonstration/celebration is expected to conclude at approximately 1 p.m. today in Denver’s Civic Center Park.
Weston Gentry: 303-954-1054, wgentry@denverpost.com or
