A parade celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day stretched nearly half a mile from University Boulevard to I-25 on Sunday.
About 500 people with signs honoring the human rights activist marched from UNM to Civic Plaza to the beat of Highland High School's marching band.
The parade started at 1 p.m. and followed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to the plaza, backing up traffic along the way. Onlookers, a few flashing the peace sign, gathered on the streets and watched from the balconies of their homes as the procession marched on.
The parade, which is organized every year by New Mexico's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission, was the largest in the 19 years the commission has organized the event, said Marsha K. Hardeman.
Hardeman and 16-year-old Taylor Griffin led the ceremonies for the events at Civic Plaza, which included musical performances, a dance by Laguna Elementary's Cultural Dancers and a speech by Lt. Gov. Dianne Denish.
Hardeman said one reason for the large turnout is that the celebration fell just two days before the inauguration of the first black president of the Unites States.
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"It's hard not to be overcome with the symbolism, the power and the impact of this historic event," she said. "I hope Dr. King is smiling as he looks down."
Hardeman is a community activist and director of the Ralph J. Bunche Academy in Albuquerque, named after the first black Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Scott Carreathers, director of UNM's African-American Student Services, attended the event and smiled when asked about the significance of the inauguration.
"Tuesday is obviously significant for me because of (Monday)," he said. "Obama is because Martin was."
Taylor Griffin, who attends Highland High School, said King's goal was to ensure equality for all humans, not just blacks.
"I'm glad to see a lot of people participate and knowing that Dr. King didn't just advocate for black civil rights," she said. "He wanted everyone to have equal opportunity and equality. For a lot of people to realize that, and for us to dedicate a march to that - it's really special."
One of the more dramatic moments of the ceremony was when 8-year-old Fernando Barrios recited an Obama speech from memory, not tripping over a syllable. He spurred the crowd on with chants of, "Yes we can."
Carreathers said he brought his children with him because it was important for them to experience and appreciate the event.
Hardeman said many of her students do not realize the significance of what King and Obama's election symbolizes.
"The children hear about those things that my parents and grandparents had to go through, and my own experiences," she said. "The white-only signs, getting moved to the back of the bus, having to go around the back of restaurants to get food - the kids are sitting there with these astounded looks. They have no understanding of how good we have it now."
Griffin said Obama's election is the result of many people's efforts, starting with Rosa Parks.
"Parks sat on the bus so Martin Luther King could march," she said. "King marched so Obama could run for president. Obama ran so we can move mountains."
As the ceremony closed, Hardeman led the crowd in singing "We Shall Overcome."
"We still have the sun with us, and I just cannot let us leave until we sing," she said.
