Dozens of buses drove marchers to Martin Luther King Park on San Antonio's East Side for the annual MLK march.
The turnout on King's birthday never ceases to amaze former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros.
"Not in Detroit; not in Atlanta; not in Washington (D.C.); not in New York; not in Los Angeles; but in San Antonio," he said, "150,000 people gather for Dr. Martin Luther King commemoration every year."
Congressman Will Hurd was also in attendance and talked about why honoring King still matters.
"We have eliminated discrimination in our laws and our institutions but we haven't eliminated discrimination in our hearts and our minds and that's why Dr. King and his message is still relevant today," he said.
Veteran and Our Lady of the Lake University student Kenae Early carried an American flag and marched with her two children and friends, who are also veterans.
"I believe in freedom. I believe we need to practice what we preach," she said. "Honestly, a lot of people sit around and they complain about change, but it actually takes the steps to doing it. Actions do speak way louder than words."
Former San Antonio Mayor and presidential hopeful Julian Castro walked with his brother Congressman Joaquin Castro and took photos with the awestruck marchers.
"It's wonderful to see so many people from different parts of the community to commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and to mark all of the wonderful progress that we've made since his passing, but also to heed his teachings and understand the enormous progress that we still have to make in the country," Julian Castro said.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg said this march highlights the best of the Alamo City.
"I'm out here reminding myself, my family and our entire community why San Antonio is such a great city," he said. "This is once again an opportunity for us to show the rest of the world that there's truly a reason to hope and it's happening right here in San Antonio."
Jack Morgan can be reached at jack@tpr.org
