San Antonio honors MLK with march, rally

Organizers expect 300,000 people to attend events

SAN ANTONIO – Despite some rain and clouds, thousands of people took to the streets of the city's East Side on Monday to honor the life and legacy of the late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

March organizers expected about 300,000 people to attend the 30th annual march, considered to be among the largest in the country.

The 2.75-mile trek started at MLK Academy in the 3500 block of MLK Drive and ended at Pittman-Sullivan Park at 1101 Iowa, where a commemorative program will be held.

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While thousands of San Antonians attended the events, the march also draws a lot of people from outside the Alamo City.

"I've been to marches before, but the San Antonio march is way different," Erica Finney, an Amarillo resident said. "(It's) like way more people than I've ever seen ... I really love that."

Ian Norris said he was impressed with the size of the crowd.

"It's definitely a lot of people. It's also really good that they're all seeking to promote justice," he said.

Elected officials also participated in the march.

Among those attending were San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor and members of City Council. Also in the crowd were U.S. Rep. Will Hurd and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who said he believes people can continue to improve race relations in our country.

"People don't have to agree on everything, but when they know that you respect them and their right to have their views and you can discuss and debate those views in a civil setting, then I think it goes an awful long way," Cornyn said.

The commemorative program featured rapper, actor and activist David Banner as guest speaker, and a musical performance by recording artist Jidenna.


About the Author:

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.