Spectators lined the streets of Fort Lauderdale and Miami on Monday morning to watch a parade honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Young and old came together along Northwest 21st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale to share memories and pass down King’s vision to the next generation. 

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Doris Beasley attended the parade with her granddaughter. 

“What I tell her about the man is that she has to learn how to respect his work and that she must work towards nonviolence, and it is a way that you can do all things,” Beasley said. “What he did was not just for black people but for all people.” 

People at the parade carried signs with messages of hope for children, and clearly that message was not lost on the kids. 

“He said don’t be mean. Make the decision and be nice,” said Zyaire Moss, a child watching the parade. 

Video: Fort Lauderdale parade

Davontae Ray, who was marching in the parade, said King was “a man who wanted to make peace in the world.” 

The parade ended at Dillard High School’s football field, where the celebration continued with an emphasis on service to the community. Hundreds filled the stands, and volunteer organizations were set up along the track to enlist others to help those in need and continue King’s work.

The holiday and the parade have different significance for different people. In fact, one man in attendance, Sam Wilkerson, said he marched with King himself. 

"I was 18 years old and it was fun to me. It was really fun,” Wilkerson said. 

He said he did not realize how big the cause was at the time. 

"Looking back now through the changes that we have, I can see what the real reason it was for," Wilkerson said.

Miami celebrates Martin Luther King Day

In Miami, crowds lined both sides of Northwest 54th Street to celebrate King’s birthday. 

The annual parade got off to a great start because of the beautiful weather. Many in attendance also wore T-shirts commemorating the new Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C.  

For middle school teacher Zenaida Cook, it's an annual ritual. 

"It's important that our kids recognize the struggles their ancestors went through so they can have the American Dream," Cook said. 

Earlier in the day, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson joined U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson at the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Breakfast at Jungle Island. The organization promotes mentoring for young men in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. At the event, Nelson stressed the importance of fighting back against the new voting laws that reduced amount of time for early voting and placed more limits on voter registration. 

"We are celebrating Dr. King's dream today, and these laws are taking voting rights backwards," said Nelson. 

In this election year, voter registration is a big deal. Hollywood actress Kerry Washington, also a President Barack Obama backer, came to Florida to encourage campaign support and voting.  Washington skipped Sunday night's Golden Globes to be in Florida because she said it is a crucial state. 

"Florida is important, and Miami is the heart of Florida," said Washington.