TULSA, Okla. — As the nation honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Tulsa held its 42nd annual MLK Commemorative Parade.
The temperature was much warmer than in years past, making it great opportunity for people to attend. However, like everything else, the coronavirus changed how gatherings are now done if they are done at all.
This year's parade was supposed to be closed to spectators based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation regarding large crowds. But the pandemic did not stop people from coming outside to honor the civil rights icon.
Howard Anderson has attended the parade for many years.
“I’m not afraid of a lot of things like a lot of people are," Anderson said. "I’m at that stage in life where I just live from day to day."
Leah Johnson brought her daughters to the parade because she said it teaches equality.
“It’s important to me for them to come out and see that everyone is equal,” Johnson said.
Another mother, Raenashia Cannady, attended with her daughter because she didn't learn much about Black history in school.
“All we had was a small little paragraph about Martin Luther King," Cannady said. "So, I’m here so she can get more history then I got when I was in school.”
An event that typically brings out thousands only drew a few hundred people, making sure the legacy of Dr. King lives on.
Trending Stories:
- Trump to issue up to 100 pardons on Tuesday before leaving office, reports say
- DOWNLOAD the 2 Works for You app for alerts
- Garth Brooks to perform during Biden's inauguration ceremony in DC on Wednesday
- FOLLOW 2 Works for You on Facebook
- OSU basketball player surprised with scholarship while working shift at Walmart
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Twitter
