Augusta’s MLKJr. Parade kicks off Black History Month

Augusta, Ga (WJBF) –  The city of Augusta and the Augusta-Richmond County Branch of the NAACP continued an annual tradition. Augusta’s annual Martin Luther King Junior Parade was held Saturday on Laney-Walker Blvd. A large crowd of people gathered to watch the parade and celebrate the beginning of Black History Month.

Sibea Lewis, a Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. told WJBF, “It’s great to see so many people out here celebrating history, celebrating the past that we can go forward with and knowing about where we come from helps us know where we need to go.”

 City organizations, social groups, and local high school bands were just some of the spirited guests in this year’s parade. “It’s wonderful,” said Cashus Williams, a life-long Augusta resident told WJBF, “What makes it so good is I’m glad, I’m 67 years old to live to see this. I remember when I was a little girl, and now look.”

There’s extra significance to the parade coming down Laney-Walker Blvd, which is one of most prominent pillars of the Augusta Black Community. “Very Historical from Lucy Laney School,  AR Johnson, I mean it’s very historical period.” said Thompkins. Lewis said, “A lot of the history of this city, the strength of this city comes from this block the people come from this block. So the perfection of combining these two things together is A1.”

Apostle Auturus Dizzley of Connection to Christ Ministries told WJBF, “This parade brings the unification. We want to make sure that we’re reaching across aisles and reaching across denominational  lines to serve the community because that’s what we’re here to serve.”