(January 13, 2007) -- Amid brisk morning temps in the 50s, a sizable crowd turned out for LB's 19th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade & Celebration. The parade route proceeded through the heart of Central LB -- up Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. from Anaheim St. past Pacific Coast Highway to MLK Park in the 1900 block of Lemon Ave.

LBReport.com provides expanded special event coverage below.

LB's Ministerial Alliance was at the head of the parade.

LBPD Chief Anthony Batts. He got loud applause.

Multiple officials attended.

Here's State Senator Alan Lowenthal (D., LB-SP-PV).

Mayor Bob Foster & First Lady Nancy.

Mayor Foster (on microphone for Charter cable's telecast) spoke of the ideals for which Dr. King stood.

L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe was present.

Rounding the corner, Deputy City Manager Reggie Harrison. In his televised remarks, he said the parade was about passing on Dr. King's legacy to children.

Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (D., Carson-LB). She said Dr. King beat the drum for justice.

LB's Central City Ass'n supported Drug Free Zones.

LB's Human Dignity Program staffers attended...including LB's Human Dignity Officer, Anitra Dempsey (seated, third from left) recently promoted to the position of Executive Director of LB's Citizen Police Complaint Commission.

Vice Mayor/1st dist. Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal.

2nd district Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal reminded the crowd that the City Council joined in her motion to declare 64 days of non-violence annually, in keeping with Dr, King's teachings.

4th district Councilman Patrick O'Donnell talks to Charter Cable.

The Teachers Ass'n of LB (teachers' union) and...

LB Unified School District Boardmembers & Superintendent Chris Steinhauser [we regret this awful reverse-angle shot.]

7th district Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga, who's also a boardmember on the South Coast Air Quality Management District, rides in an AQMD vehicle.

In foreground, LBCC Trustee Mark Bowen alongside Board President/Trustee Robert Uranga [we regret, partly obscured in our digital pic.]

City Auditor Laura Doud with Ass't City Auditor Alex Cherin at the wheel.

LB Wrigley Ass'n leaders (with Joan Greenwood in the center) carry a banner with Dr. King's statement that "One of the great glories of democracy is the right to protest for right."

Annie Greenfeld-Wisner represented South Wrigley's Neighborhood Advisory Group ("NAG")...and that's veteran NLB activist Dan Pressburg at the wheel.

Newly-elected Assemblywoman Laura Richardson, who represented LB's 6th Council district for over six years before advancing to Sacramento, danced New Orleans-style up MLK Ave. During her tenure, she made the MLK parade a city priority.

MLK Park was filled with informational booths and plenty to eat. Later today, there'll be performances by Kool & the Gang and others.