MESA, Ariz. - Residents lined Center Street in downtown Mesa on Monday morning as high school marching bands and local organizations passed by celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
For the last 24 years, the Mesa Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee has put on the parade to honor the civil rights leader. This year, it almost didn't happen.
The committee fell short in its fundraising, putting the parade in jeopardy.
“It seems our corporations and people who normally donate to us decided they had other things they wanted to donate to and we panicked," said Angela Booker, president of the Mesa Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee. "We ended up going to the city of Mesa and talking with the mayor. He helped us get some of the things we needed to make this event happen."
The City of Mesa which already covers the police detail and the bleachers agreed to help fund the cost of barricades which can get expensive. Booker doesn't know the exact cost, but says it can cost more than $5,000. Which ended up shortening the parade route this year.
Mesa Mayor John Giles had no doubt the parade would be saved.
“We celebrate civil rights. We celebrate diversity and inclusion in our community. So this is the last event you'll see off the calendar in the city of Mesa,” Giles said.
The Mesa Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee is looking to find more sponsors and donors for next year. The committee also awards scholarships and hosts a breakfast. Which were all cut this year because of the lack of funds.
Even though the parade was shorter this year, the spirit of the day was alive and well.
“We need to be more socially conscious every day. Make sure we're honoring the cause of equality all the time,” said Jake Voas who was in attendance with his two sons.
“We are on earth just to love one another,” said Delores McCool, another parade spectator.
Booker offered ways to honor MLK today and every day.
“Make a point to go to someone that doesn't look like you and just say hello and how are you because that's what it's about. Getting to know each other. What you’ll find is – No matter what the skin color. We’re all the same,” Booker said.