HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — The Huntsville community celebrated the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in a big way with a parade celebration presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in Huntsville. Delta Theta Lambda Chapter Vice President Cliff March said this is their fifth parade.
"It's actually the seventh year, but we've had to cancel two because of ice. And we've been blessed with a beautiful day before the [expected winter] storm," said March. "We've got a lot of participants. We've got Alabama A&M Marching Maroon and White, fresh from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They're going to lead our parade today."
Alabama A&M University Assistant Band Director Charles Conner explained that community comes first. "Community is what supports us and allows us to do big events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and other events that we have. And so we always are taught at Alabama A&M and of course, at our historically black colleges and universities, we take care of home first."
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle was also in attendance. "It's just a great event today, the Martin Luther King celebration. We have a parade, Monday we'll have a breakfast, and the breakfast honoring Martin Luther King and his legacy. And it's one that all our community come together. And today may be a little bit chilly, but the sun us coming out and it's really a nice day for a parade."
With 75 participants registered for this celebration parade, many said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught them to keep their dreams alive and to never stop, don't quit, to keep pressing forward. "He taught me unity, he taught me to look out for my brother and my sister. He taught me to reach back and to pull one up," said parade Grand Marshal Toni Terrell.
Alabama A&M students' and Target employees' Daisia McCarver and Qiana Jackson agree. "I would say he taught me to always dream big and believe that things can change and they will change if you put in the work," said McCarver. "He's always taught me to keep going. You're going to fall sometimes. You're not going to always be perfect, but keep trying," continued Jackson.