Thousands met at City Park on Monday morning to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr during a march with a heavy political undertone.

“It is not just about celebrating King, it’s about having direct action like King. We need to be at the forefront of dealing with the issues of today,” Wellington Webb, a former Denver mayor, said.

A push to ban masks on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents should be the first order of business, Webb said, referring to a proposed ordinance in Denver to prevent law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings in the city.

City officials argued the proposal would address public safety fears and increase transparency, though others wondered about its implementation and effectiveness, while raising the specter of conflict between local police officers tasked to enforce the ban and federal or state officers wearing masks.

The crowd cheered in response.

The annual Marade — started in 1986 — celebrates America’s civil rights movement and is one of the largest Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in the country.

Hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Colorado Holiday Commission, the 40th annual event drew thousands of attendees, who marched from City Park to Civic Center Park.

The march started years before 1986, when then-Rep. Wilma Webb, Wellington’s wife, fought to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a state holiday. The first official state celebration occurred in 1986.

Wellington Webb joked that the first marches asking for the holiday went the wrong way —  toward a nearby school, not to the state Capitol.

“We were marching to Manual High School. Ain’t not folks at Manual High School. Half the time ain’t no teachers at Manual High School, but we succeeded anyway,” he said, laughing.

Prior to the march, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper and U.S. Rep. Jason Crow talked about immigration and other political subjects. They said the country needs to emulate King.

“Fear is contagious, but so is courage,” Crow said. “If we are willing to sacrifice and to serve and to put ourselves into the fire, people will follow.”

“Whatever is going on in this country, we can solve it the same way that we solved other things without violence,” Wilma Webb told the crowd. “We have to do the same thing that Dr. King lived, worked and died for.”

After a two-hour ceremony that included music, prayers and speeches, hundreds began the march.

“We just want to raise them to know that being in community and showing up for justice and peace is important,” Teresa Robbins said of her two young children.

“I brought my daughter because it’s a great opportunity for her to see what community looks like,” added Steven Gore, who carried his child on his shoulders.