Rallying around the 2023 theme to “recapture the dream,” a crowd of marchers gathered with floats, dance crews and activists near the R.I.S.E. Center at St. Elizabeth’s at 11 a.m. The parades joined with participants in a Peace Walk to walk along the street named for King. The Peace Walk started at the Malcomn X Park in Congress Heights.
The Parade proceeded onto Martin Luther King Jr., Ave SE, and continue north on MLK (towards downtown Anacostia), pass the reviewing stand on MLK between V and W Streets, S.E., and turn left into Anacostia Park at Good Hope Road.
Thousands converged for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Walk and Parade. Many in the crowd carried signs saying “Thou Shalt Not Kill,” to decry violence across the District and the country.
A Wellness Fair was held from 11am-1pm. The fair’s goal was to be “meeting the needs of mental health, giving hope, and equipping the community with resources and services needed.” Services such as blood pressure, diabetes and other medical screenings, life saving demonstrations, nutritional information, and chiropractic and massage therapist services will be present.
“I want to thank everyone who came out on Monday for our first MLK Parade since 2020. In honoring the legacy of Dr. King, we are reminded that our city is only as strong as the ward and the people that need the most help and support. I know that we are locked arm in arm, across all eight wards, in the work to ensure every Washingtonian has their humanity recognized and every Washingtonian gets a fair shot,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser.
