After Outcry, Pugh Says MLK Parade Is Back On

Hours after announcing the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade would be replaced with a day of service, Mayor Catherine Pugh said on Twitter she was reversing course.

I've heard from residents who'd like to continue the tradition of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade & those who'd like to participate in a Day of Service. Why choose - we can do both! See you at the parade & visit https://t.co/UrASzmeXA3 to share volunteer opportunities! pic.twitter.com/HCuurnGEP8 — Mayor Catherine Pugh (@MayorPugh50) December 13, 2017

Locals like Hassan Giordano opposed the original move of taking away the parade, calling it "a staple of this city."

"We already have a day of service. It was already there. It's not new (and) at the end of the day, we have 300-plus homicides in this city," Giordano said. "We need something like this (the parade) to bring pride back into the City of Baltimore."

Pugh earlier said she would replace the parade with a day of service and a battle of the bands at Morgan State University. The bands that would usually participate in the parade would be a part of the battle of the bands where a drummer for justice would be chosen.

Pugh said she is asking people to sign up for community projects around the city. Those projects would be followed by the battle of bands and other entertainment.

WBAL-TV 11 reporter Lisa Robinson contributed to this report.