MLK March 60th Anniversary in Washington: Many gathered on the National Mall on Saturday to remember the 60th anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington. They were there to highlight ongoing racial inequality in the U.S.
The Kings’ Drum Major Institute and Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network organized the event, aiming to replicate the 1963 racial justice march with a large turnout of up to 250,000 people.
At this event, banners and talks focused on LGBTQ and Asian American rights, unlike the first march. Many women spoke to the crowd, a big change from 1963 when only one woman spoke.
Alphonso David, CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum, believes progress has been made since Dr. King’s March, but the final goal remains elusive. He asked if we’d reached the mountain top. Not close.
Pamela Mays McDonald, 8, at the first march, noticed more women speaking. Marsha Dean Phelts was disappointed by the low turnout, mentioning that the crowds were larger 60 years ago. But she said the problems from then are still problems now.
People heard planes taking off from Ronald Reagan National Airport as they listened to the talks. Near the Lincoln Memorial, people did normal weekend activities like playing rugby, jogging, and riding bikes.
The day before the event, Martin Luther King III and his sister Bernice King visited their father’s memorial in Washington. Bernice pondered her father’s legacy and the ongoing civil rights struggle.
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Ambassador Andrew Young, close to King and pivotal in the first march, was among the leaders who spoke. Representatives from the NAACP and National Urban League also spoke.
March leaders met with Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke to discuss voting rights, policing, and redlining.Monday marks the 1963 March. President Biden and Vice President Harris will meet with the event organizers. King’s living children have been invited to the White House.Rev. Al Sharpton promised Coretta Scott King to remember the March on Washington anniversary. He pondered the decline of civil rights laws since 2000.
King’s post-1963 speech was significant for civil rights, but subsequent events led to drastic legal changes. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 resulted from events such as the Birmingham Church bombing and the killings of civil rights workers.
Bernice King urged appreciation and understanding of previous generations’ accomplishments, emphasizing the significance of acknowledging and building upon their progress.
Denver Garrett, 31, walked near the Lincoln Memorial with a cross bearing the names of those killed by cops or guns. Garrett reflected on lost friends due to gun violence. The event gave him hope and drive, and he said, “I’m glad I came. It boosted me to keep going.
Our Reader’s Queries
Will the 60th Anniversary of March on Washington be televised?
Monday is the precise anniversary of the March on Washington. King III and his family plan to meet with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to honor the occasion. CBS will air a 30-minute special at 8 p.m. EDT on Monday, Aug, to commemorate the event.
How many people were at the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington?
On its 60th anniversary, the March on Washington is being remembered by those who took part in it. It has been six decades since 250,000 individuals congregated at the Lincoln Memorial for the historic event, including A. Peter Bailey, Courtland Cox, and Edith Lee-Payne.
Who was the speaker at the 60th Anniversary March on Washington?
The event featured Reverend Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King Jr.’s family as key figures. The original March on Washington took place during the civil rights movement and was a demonstration against the social injustices confronting African Americans.
Where is the March on Washington 2023?
Come and join Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Yolanda Renee King, Drum Major Institute, National Action Network, and other organizations on August 26, 2023 at the Lincoln Memorial for the 60th anniversary March on Washington.