Marchers in Loreauville hold photos of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other black leaders Monday morning. — Jessica Goff / The Daily Iberian

LOREAUVILLE — A pause in traffic was held for marchers who proceeded down Loreauville’s Main Street midmorning Monday as they followed a hand-held American flag and waved photos of Martin Luther King Jr. and images of other iconic black figures.

The Martin Luther King Celebration, coordinated by Our Lady of Victory Church, marked its 23rd year of honoring the slain civil rights leader, church choir director Joyce Sorrell said.

Sorrell said the long-running celebration honoring King’s birthday has brought generations of Loreauville residents out in support of unity in their village and community.

“There is nothing like Loreauville,” she said. “What I love about my town so much is that every year, even though there may not be new faces, it’s family. Children whose moms pushed them in a stroller are now able to walk. That really touches my heart. And now to have them grown and still want to walk and still want to hold the sign of Dr. Martin Luther King.”

A trailer, which included mounted loud speakers resonating a recording of one of King’s speeches, was provided to assist elderly residents who were unable to march during the event. It began at Loreauville Park and concluded with a program at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church on Daigre Street.

Marchers entered into the church for the program singing civil rights-era anthem “We Shall Overcome” as they carried photos of King and notables such as Bill Cosby, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jordon and actress Dorothy Dandridge.

Paula Scott, of Faith Family Fellowship Church in New Iberia, offered a prayer of thanks for King’s presence and message of freedom.

“You created him, God, and you created in him in a way to where all of us could be free,” she said.