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Parades, Day Of Service Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A day of service and parades were held Monday as a tribute to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

In Miami, thousands lined the streets for the parade honoring King which kicked off at 11 a.m.

"Martin Luther King, what he stood for was for all people, not just blacks, for all races," said Sonny Rolle.

"He made a way for all of us. No matter what color or race, he made a way for all of us," said Melody Smith.

"He fought for our country and gave us civil rights," said Immanuel Strong.

The three hour parade traveled alongside N.W. 54th Street from N.W. 12th Avenue to N.W. 19th Avenue, then west on 54th Street.

The parade is an annual tradition, but the lessons learned from Dr. King are taught year round.

"We come every year. It's important for them (the kids) to see what's going on in the community and celebrate the wonderful life of Dr. King," said Tangie Rudolph.

While some were still to young to know the significance of his day and the man it honors, others will make sure the words spoken more than 50 years ago live on in the community.

"My dream is for my grandchildren to grow up and be whatever they want to be in life," said Smith.

"My dream for my children and this community is that we just continue t grow. We continue to love and respect one another and just be the best people that we can possibly be," said Rudolph.

In Ft. Lauderdale, the their parade at Lincoln Park, 600 NW 19th Avenue. It then proceeded east on Sistrunk Boulevard, south on 7th Avenue to Esplanade Park at 400 S.W. 2nd Street for the King Holiday Celebration of Unity and Multicultural Festival.

The City of Miramar also hosted its annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration.

The parade kicked off at Forzano Park. It culminated with a celebration at Lakeshore Park located at 8501 South Sherman Circle.  The event was hosted by actress Jasmine Avery from the HBO series "Ballers."

The City of Deerfield Beach also held a parade followed by a ceremony at the Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex.

Many across South Florida spent Monday as a day of service in honor of Dr. King.

The LEAD Nation(Leaders by Empowerment-Activists by Development), along with the Urban Collective, the producers of Art Africa Miami Arts Fair and IAM Art MIA took part in beautification and mural painting at Watkins Elementary School.

City Year Miami AmeriCorps Members, the Miami Dolphins and host of volunteers took on a number of renovation projects at Laura C. Saunders Elementary School. Projects including painting the school, creation of murals, reconstructing the playground and raising a 'Peace Pole'.

Broward College students and faculty, along with hundreds of volunteers, planned to tackle 36 projects. Among them - creating care packages for homeless children and women, a school wide clean-up and a peace walk at Dillard High and the creation of a memorial garden at Deerfield Beach Middle School in honor of local hero, Tuskegee Airman, Lt. Colonel Leo Gray.

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