Hundreds attend annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade along the Embarcadero

For the last 44 years, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade has taken place rain or shine along the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego. Sunday’s parade went off without a hitch as dozens lined up to welcome the floats as they made their way down Harbor Drive.

The event, organized and hosted by the San Diego Alpha Foundation and Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, featured floats, high school bands, law enforcement agencies, and other local organizations.

Dazia Gambirazio came with her family to watch the parade because she believes in the message of unity it sends, especially, according to her, during such a politically divisive time in history.

“It’s easy to see everything happening and think that that’s what America is, but it’s not,” said Gambirazio. “Diversity and equity for all. I think everybody should have an equal standing, and everybody should have equal rights, and right now I don’t feel like we have that,” Gambirazio added.

Benny Walter and his wife, Gloria, have seen a lot of change in the U.S. over the years. “Division” is one word that comes to their mind when describing the present day. Still, they came to the parade on Sunday because they, too, believe in the concept of unity and putting differences aside.

“We all come united, because right now we’re not,” said Walter. “Because at the end of the day, we’re all the same thing. We’re all trying to take care of our family. It shouldn’t be Republicans against Democrats, it should be United States to prosper and to grow as one,” Walter added.

San Diego’s MLK Parade is one of the largest of its kind in the country, according to the San Diego Alpha Foundation. The parade first began in 1982, and has grown considerably over the years.

“I think diversity is what makes America beautiful, and I think the world needs to know that,” said Gambirazio.

Click here for a full breakdown of the MLK festivities and related closures in San Diego.