(January 15, 2005) -- Amid robust crowds, Long Beach's 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade proceeded through the heart of Central LB -- up Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. from Anaheim St. past Pacific Coast Highway to the LB park named in Dr. King's honor in the 1900 block of Lemon Ave.

LBReport.com provides expanded special event coverage below.

The theme of this year's Unity Parade and Celebration was, "I can't be what I ought to be...until you are what you ought to be."

Clergy began the procession.

Long Beach Mounted Police.

Yes, that's LB Police Chief Anthony Batts.

LB Mayor Beverly O'Neill.

37th district Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald. Her district stretches from Carson to include roughly 80% of LB.

Vice Mayor Jackie Kell, with retired Mayor Ernie Kell at the wheel.

KJLH radio's entry included large speakers that let paradegoers hear Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech.

The KJLH/Wells Fargo float included a portrait of the fallen civil rights leader.

State Senator Alan Lowenthal and Assemblywoman Betty Karnette.

Assemblywoman Jenny Oropeza. She chairs the Assembly Transportation Committee.

The 2005 Grand Prix pacecar made an appearance.

LB City Manager Jerry Miller.

Deputy City Manager Reggie Harrison.

From the Int'l Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 11.

A banner introduced 6th district Councilwoman Laura Richardson, whose office has helped build the parade into a major city event.

Her Central City district is home to the parade route.

Councilwoman Richardson didn't march; she danced up MLK Ave...literally. As she promised at the January 11 City Council meeting, Councilwoman Richardson did a "Second Line" dance.

One of America's famed "Buffalo Soldiers": Trooper Robert McDaniel, 9th Cavalry Regiment (WWII).

LB City Clerk Larry Herrera.

1st district Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal.

4th district Councilman Patrick O'Donnell and 7th district Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga..seem to be looking for 2d district Councilman Dan Baker.

Councilman Baker hopped off the float to bring back some favored take-out from one of the 6th district's eateries.

Councilman Baker then scrambled back on board....

...and shared the movable feast with his colleagues.

What's a parade without good food?

A classic LB Fire Department unit.

[LBReport.com comment: There is no truth to the rumor that city management's forthcoming LBFD efficiency study plans to return this unit to service.]

Power 106 FM brought some high decibel music.

The parade included representatives of the Teachers Association of LB.

LB Unified School District officialdom included Superintendent Chris Steinhauser, Boardmembers Suja Lowenthal and Dr. Felton Williams.

Members of the LB Community College Board of Trustees Roberto Uranga and Doug Otto (back) with Diane McNinch in the front seat.

Representatives of LBCC's Student Council.

From Masjid Al-Shareef of Long Beach.

From Cal Worthington Ford.

Representatives of the Cambodian Community.

From "Cambodia Town."

Cambodian Art Preservation Group.

And a link to Dr. King's civil rights struggles: the LB Branch of the NAACP.