SAN DIEGO.- The Southwestern Community College District (SWC) will take part this Sunday, January 18, 2026, in the 44th Annual Parade honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most important civic commemorations in Southern California, organized this year by Patricia Hinck.
The institution is inviting students, alumni, faculty and staff, as well as family members and community residents, to join its contingent and participate in the parade route.
According to the invitation released by SWC, participant check-in will begin at 10:30 a.m., while the parade is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. in the Embarcadero area of downtown San Diego.
Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes, apply sunscreen, and bring a reusable water bottle—items that will also be provided by the college district.
Southwestern Community College’s participation in the event seeks to reaffirm its commitment to the values of inclusion, social justice, and community engagement that defined the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential figures of the 20th century in the United States.
Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a Baptist minister and a leader of the civil rights movement, recognized for his defense of racial equality through peaceful resistance and nonviolent civil disobedience.
His leadership was instrumental in exposing racial discrimination and advancing historic legislative changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
King’s impact extended beyond African American communities, leaving a profound mark on the history of communities across the United States.
His message of justice, dignity, and peaceful coexistence influenced future generations and laid the foundation for social movements that continue to advocate for equity, human rights, and civic participation.
More than five decades after his assassination in 1968, the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. remains a reference point for educational institutions and community organizations such as Southwestern Community College, which year after year join this parade to honor his memory and reinforce the call to build more just and inclusive communities.
Registration to participate in the SWC contingent remains open at:
https://forms.gle/NkRtWDXAT34A3rpX9