Homelessness, poverty and politics took center stage Monday as one of the largest crowds ever to mark the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in downtown Fresno marched in honor of the slain civil rights leader.

Perfect weather "and a lot of concerns" prompted about 2,000 people to participate, police Capt. Greg Garner said.

Typically, 500 to 1,500 attend, organizers said.

Monday's crowd included people from Occupy Fresno and Fresno city and county union employees. Signs that marchers carried echoed the diversity of the crowd, with slogans such as "End the War in Iraq" and "Stop Corporate Greed."

Tracy Barnes' family participated in the march for the first time.

"We came to show our support for the people who have sacrificed over the years to give us the safety and security that we all enjoy today," said Barnes, 38, of Fresno.

With a police motorcade leading the way, the marchers started at St. John's Cathedral on R Street, took Tulare Street, and ended in front of City Hall on P Street.

There, the event resembled a church revival, courtesy of former City Council Member Les Kimber, who said King would be proud of the strides people have made since his assassination in 1968.

"We have gone this far by our faith in leaning on the Lord and years of hard work," said Kimber, 77. "But we can't stop now."

"Amen," the crowd responded.

Kimber drew loud applause when he said there is too much poverty and homelessness in the United States, as well as government officials denying employees their collective bargaining rights.

City Council President Clint Olivier drew a few boos and catcalls when he tried to speak of King's message of peace.

"Flip flop, flip flop," the hecklers said in reference to Olivier's support in June of privatizing the city's commercial solid waste operations. Six months earlier, Olivier was the swing vote that had killed privatization.

In the end, the crowd applauded Olivier when he said America should end its participation in all foreign wars.

In its 28th year, the march culminated four days of events, including a community breakfast in Clovis, to honor King's legacy.

The march drew a large number of people, organizer James Lett III said, because "it seems like more people are becoming concerned with what's happening in the world."

Many of the marchers attend year after year. Some were just learning about it.

"I think it's pretty cool," said Benjamin Lacey, 17, of Cambridge High School. He and another first-timer -- Raul Flick, 14, of Fresno High -- were selected to hold a portrait of King and lead the procession.

As the crowd marched, some held hands. Others, including Rep. Jim Costa, sang, "We Shall Overcome."

Katherine Fiori said she was marching as a member of Occupy Fresno, which has set up shop at Courthouse Park as part of a nationwide demonstration against income inequality and abusive corporations.

Fiori said she is one of many Occupy Fresno protesters due in court next month to face charges of loitering in Courthouse Park.

"I'm fighting for free speech and the right to gather," said Fiori, 65. "There's no way I'm going to plead guilty."

Afterward, organizer Gail Gaston smiled and said: "What a great day to be marching. We are living the dream."