Some 200 people took to the streets in downtown McAllen on Monday evening.
Activists, ordinary joes and even some schoolchildren marched to keep the civil rights movement created by the late Martin Luther King alive.
The march ended with music and a community fair inside the Cine El Rey movie theater.
Organizers said the slain civil rights leader's message still resonates with Hispanics and others in the Rio Grande Valley.
"I think for Latinos here, it represents a lot because Latinos in a way have gone through a lot of hardships,” said organizer Bert Guerra. “Our voices are a little bit different than let's say people say it's a black issue. But I think everybody that has a heart can understand that MLK’s message is a basically humanity."
John Michael Torres with La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) said he agrees.
Torres said MLK Day should be about making a difference.
"Instead of taking the day off, use it as a day on, a day of organizing, a day of volunteering in the community, a day of making the world a better place,” Torres said.
UTPA student Ricardo Rios, Jr. said oppression of minorities still exists even in 2012.
The business administration management senior be back next year to continue the dream of equality started by Martin Luther King.
"It was quiet breathtaking actually, very emotional,” Rios said. “Even thought it was a short walk, i felt completely in awe to be able to do this."
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT