Commemorative marches held in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In celebration of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., several events were be held across Southwest Florida to honor his legacy.

Saint John First Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Myers held its 39th annual ecumenical service on Sunday.

The ecumenical service featured songs, scripture and sermons. 

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WINK News reporters Camila Pereira and Jolena Esperto joined a parade route to be held for Dr. King at the Dunbar-Jupiter Hammon Public Center, near Blount and High streets on Monday.

The route ended at Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers.

Cheerleaders, Fort Myers residents and community leaders gathered to celebrate Dr. King.

Patricia Williams, a Dunbar native, has been attending the MLK commemorative march for decades. “As God gives me health and strength to breathe, I will be here,” Williams said.

Cianna Stinziano, who walked the entire parade with her siblings, participates every year. “Everyone’s just united as one, walking and celebrating the same film. It’s cool,” Stinziano said.

This event’s turnout is expected to be in the hundreds as people reflect, unify and celebrate the ideologies and sacrifices of the civil rights movement.