KING DAY PARADE: Comments From the Crowd

Attorney John S. Rogers, who works in the law office of David Lee Phillips, son of civil rights activist Ruby Duncan, says he had noticed a change following the election of Barack Obama. For one thing, there’s less racial tension.

“It’s not post-racial, but it’s a step in the right direction,” says Rogers, who is also a Democratic Party activist.

Louise Banks escorted her 8-year-old niece Faith Fines to the parade. Louise, a 17-year resident originally from Chicago, conveyed the sentiment of many present.

“It’s an incredible turnout,” she says. “Seeing the crowds today, I’ve seen a lot of Caucasians bringing their kids out to Martin Luther King. We’re also celebrating the inauguration as well. It’s like two-in-one. It’s really a wonderful, wonderful day, and I wish Dr. King were here to see what’s going to happen tomorrow.”

Teamster Ramona Thomas says: ““It’s a change coming. We’ve been looking for this a long time, basically all my life. Hopefully, and I pray, that everything is going to be all right. It’s going to be difficult anyway. Obama has a lot to clean up. Basically, by his attitude, I think he’ll be a calm President. He’s rational. He’ll work things out and see the big picture before he makes a decision.”