Thousands of people gathered in Southeast D.C. on Monday to march in a parade and honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Their peace walk and parade stretched for two miles along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE. It was the 42nd annual parade hosted by the Coalition for Peace, a tradition that started before King’s birthday even became a federal holiday.

There was cheering and dancing. And the Mary McLeod Bethune school marching band helped set the tone. Participants were jubilant to be in one another’s company. They also used the moment to reflect on the teachings of the civil rights leader, hoping to continue his work.

Rev. Wendy Hamilton attended, carrying a sign about universal basic income, which was at the center of her campaign last year to replace Elanor Holmes Norton as D.C.’s delegate to Congress. King was an early proponent of direct cash assistance and Hamilton hoped to remind people that he championed the policy — indeed, guaranteed income had been the topic of his final book.

“We can talk about the ‘content of our character’ and the ‘color of our skin.’ But that was not the whole of his dream,” Hamilton told DCist/WAMU. “The whole of his dream had to do with economic empowerment. Racial equity.”

Hamilton was happy to celebrate King in community.

There were people of various backgrounds in attendance. Young. Old. Black. White. Children and parents could be seen with their hands in the air, hoping to catch some beads from the procession of people. One of those families was Riah Williams and her 10-year-old daughter, Zsacherie. Zsacherie, whose family lives nearby, recalled one of King’s teachings when explaining why they all came out to celebrate: “Not to fight but to use his words.”

Dozens of local organizations participated in the parade, holding up messages about their own efforts. Members of the anti-violence campaign Thou Shalt Not Kill, for example, marched to draw attention to the city’s high number of homicides.

Mayor Muriel Bowser also attended. “Today, in honor of MLK, let’s remember to nurture the light & love within our communities & celebrate the progress we make by working together,” she tweeted.

Some people have been coming for years. Iman Willis, 29, said she’s attended the parade since she was in elementary school. Originally from Gaithersburg, Maryland, Willis said she was always excited to go to the parade as a kid because she got to see people she looked up to. She’s pleased to return now and be an influence to the community as Ms. Black District of Columbia.

“It’s always a positive, happy environment, so I’m excited to be back,” Willis said.

Willis was joined by Miss Black District of Columbia, Hailey Boutte, who was at the parade for her first time. She was joyed to see so many different people and businesses present. “It’s really beautiful that everybody can come together for this moment,” said Boutte, who’s from Louisiana. “I really love this.”

The parade struck a different tone with Joe David Henley Jr. He noted the area hosting the peace walk and parade has been “left behind.”  “The violence that is now spilling over to every part of D.C. is emblematic of just neglect,” he said. “I’m here to provide my support for the change that’s required and this change is going to happen in my lifetime.”

King’s family also honored his legacy in D.C., visiting his memorial at the tidal basin. The family had no plans of attending a march while they were here, according to the Post, but will return to the city for the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington in August. The march will be used to advocate for federal voting rights legislation.