Fort Myers lauds Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with 31st march from Dunbar to Centennial Park

MICHAEL BRAUN, MBRAUN@NEWS-PRESS.COM Published 1:17 p.m. ET Jan. 15, 2018 | Updated 5:20 p.m. ET Jan. 15, 2018

Lee County marches in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ricardo Rolon / news-press.com

The federal holiday marking the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is observed on the third Monday of January, around his Jan.15 birthday.

Here are some nuggets from Monday's commemorative march in Fort Myers for the slain civil rights leader:

History: Monday's march was the 31st in Fort Myers.

Participation: The march drew around 800 participants walking the 1.65-mile route from Dunbar's Jupiter Hammon Public Library on Blount Street, down Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers.

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Special recognition: The Quality of Life Center in Dunbar was recognized for having the most participants this year with 142.

Longest participating organization: The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers, which has been involved for the past 13 years.

Groups participating: Alpha Phi Alpha, New Life Worship Center, National Organization of Women, 100 Black Men, FGCU students, FGCU's NAACP Chapter, NAACP, Eta Alpha Zeta Chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, Quality of Life Center, New Creationz Dancers, the Dunbar High School Marching Band, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers.

Leading the way: The Rev. Robert Browning, 87, rector emeritus of St Hilary Episcopal Church in Fort Myers, lead the march. The Philadelphia native said he has marched in every King march in Fort Myers.

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Quotables about the march:

"It is a big deal, being a black woman. It is important to show how we have strived as a race. We're really proud of how far we've come." – Jalisa White, student body president, FGCU.

"A lot! Only the weather is different." – Jim Nathan, retired president of Lee Health, when asked how many MLK marches he's participated in.

"We're in this together. Unless you get the word out people don't know." – Rev. Robert Browning.

"It is always inspirational. The biggest challenge this year is President Trump. He has galvanized us not to go to sleep but to wake up." –Abdul’Haq Muhammed, Quality of Life Center executive director.

More: Trump MLK Day address: Don't judge people by 'how they look or where they come from'

More: Years of persistence led to holiday honoring King

The march organizer: Martin Byrd, said the event always draws a good crowd. His goal? For two strangers to meet and start a continuing friendship because of the march.

Notable faces in the march crowd: Retired president of Lee Health Jim Nathan, Abdul’Haq Muhammed, Quality of Life Center executive director.

Twists and turns: The parade has not always taken the MLK Boulevard route. In 2001, due to construction on MLK, the march started at Clemente Park and wound through neighborhoods en route to Centennial Park. Earlier versions concluded in front of the Lee County courthouse.

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Dunbar resident Pat Thomas leads part of the marchers in a song as they made their way towards Centennial Park in Downtown Fort Myers, Monday, January 15, as part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative March. Around 800 people participated in the event. Ricardo Rolon / The News-Press

Fort Myers lauds Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with 31st march from Dunbar to Centennial Park

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