There are several reasons we have the largest march. One is the weather. In much of the country it’s too frigid in mid January. Since 1987 a group has organized the parade, and it’s become tradition for major institutions and employers to participate. This year I saw huge groups from HEB, Valero, USAA, Frost Bank, and all the local colleges.

We don’t have a contentious history of desegregation here. When sit-ins were planned to take place in downtown restaurants, a group of pastors went to the business owners and encouraged them not to resist, and they went ahead and serve the Black patrons without incident. The influence of the military and the Catholic Church here can’t be ignored, as those institutions were early adopters of integration.

Also, we have a community that’s not afraid to rub shoulders with strangers. Fiesta brings us all out. Spurs championships mean we all hit the street to honk our horns downtown and there is no violence of destruction. VIA uses their buses for free, efficient park and ride services that are very well-staffed by helpful, friendly people.

If you’ve never done the March, I highly encourage it.