Civic leaders denounce MLK parade in Arlington after Gov. Greg Abbott named honorary marshal

The Toyota North Texas Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Arlington was hatched as an opportunity for seven counties to collectively honor the civil rights icon — "a chance to march and come together," as the organizers put it.

But with one week to go, it's stirring anger and discord.

Civic leaders, including the Arlington branch of the NAACP and the pastor of a Dallas megachurch, are condemning the appointment of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as honorary grand marshal of the new parade, set in Arlington this year.

"As we review his career and public service, it is fair to say that Greg Abbott has done more to damage and undermine African-American and Latino civil and voter rights, educational opportunities and economic empowerment than any other modern-day Texas governor," the Arlington NAACP said in a prepared statement.

In a tweet, the group asked the governor to decline the invitation to participate in the parade. While group leaders haven't publicly called for a boycott, they said in an email that they support people's right to do so.

Read more: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/arlington/2018/01/08/civic-leaders-call-boycott-mlk-parade-arlington-after-gov-greg-abbott-named-honorary-marshal