GIFFORD — A parade honoring prominent civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was held Monday in Gifford.

The parade was hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Committee of Indian River County, a local nonprofit organization. Organizers wanted to emulate Dr. King’s message about non-violence and unification in the community.

“We want people to love on their community; no jealousy or animosity,” said committee secretary and parade coordinator Linda Morgan. “We’re a small community and we don’t have room for division.”

Line up started at 8 a.m. and the parade was held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday. Participants started on 37th Street onto U.S. 1 and walked to Old Dixie Highway, 45th Street and 43rd Avenue, and then to the Victor Hart Sr. Community Enhancement Complex, 4715 43rd Avenue.

Nearly 200 people and about 40 floats were at the parade.

Local law enforcement agencies including the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, Indian River Shores Public Safety Department and police departments from Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere also participated in the parade.

“The parade provides communities with an opportunity to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. together and in keeping with the spirit of what he stood for as a civil rights leader,” said Fellsmere police Chief Keith Touchberry.

Shores Public Safety Director Rich Rosell said Dr. King is everybody’s hero, including law-enforcement officials.

“It’s important that members of law-enforcement never lose sight of the message of peace that Martin Luther King Jr. shared with the world, and continue to join in celebration of his remembrance,” Rosell said.

Here are some photos from the event:

Photos by Gordon Radford