Hundreds filled the streets Monday evening for the annual Joan of Arc parade through New Orleans’ historic French Quarter. Organizers said they wanted the event to convey the city’s spirited grit as it grapples with the violent New Year’s Day attack but still persists with beloved traditions.

Women dressed as angels, hands clasped in prayer, passed through New Orleans Monday evening to celebrate the first parade of Carnival season, just blocks from where 14 people were killed five days ago by a rampaging driver.