Leesburg Marches to Honor Martin Luther King Jr.

Every year since 1992, residents and community organizations have joined together to march from the Loudoun County Courthouse to the Douglass Community Center.

And Monday was no different, as elected officials, community leaders and citizens came together for the 21st Annual March to honor Martin Luther King Jr. 

Leesburg's Mayor Kristen Umstattd, who walks in the parade each year, pointed out the engraved plaques along the parade route, with background about King and the "I Have a Dream" committee. Along the way, there are five granite plaques with quotes from King's speeches and 10 bricks engraved with "MLK dream." 

The "I Have A Dream" Committee was established in 1992 by the Loudoun Douglass Alumni Association, the Baha'I Community of Loudoun, the Loudoun County branch of the NAACP and Bluemont Concert Series.

The parade, which included the Heritage High School Marching Band, ended at the Douglass Community Center, which was formerly a segregated high school from 1955-1968.

The theme this year was “Moving forward with the Dream for All."

After the parade, there was a program and celebration at the Douglass Community Center.  The keynote speaker for the celebration was Deborah L. Parker of Leesburg, an inspirational speaker and author.

To see a video and pictures from the parade, click through the media player above.

How did you honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day?