60th Anniversary of the March on Washington
Join us on August 26, 2023 for the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington
Advancing Justice | AAJC is honored to be co-chairing this momentous event along with ADL, Human Rights Commission, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Legal Defense Fund, NAACP, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, National Council of Negro Women, National Urban League and UNIDOS. This anniversary is not only a commemoration, but also a continuation of that landmark moment in the struggle against hate. (Header from AFP via Getty Images)
Register to join the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Contingent at the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington
To learn more about the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington, visit March on Washington: A Commemoration, A Continuation.
Remembering the March on Washington
On August 28, 1963, the world witnessed a moment that would go down in history as one of the most pivotal and influential events in the fight for civil rights. Standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic speech, proclaiming to the nation, "I have a dream." He forever changed the course of American history.
The March on Washington brought together a diverse group of speakers and performers, reflecting the unity and solidarity that the civil rights movement embodied. From respected artists like Marian Anderson, Odetta, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan to civil rights leaders such as John Lewis, Whitney Young, and Roy Wilkins, the event showcased the power of collective action.
Dr. King's powerful words challenged the nation to envision a future where all races and religions could come together, hand in hand, singing the words of freedom. The March on Washington, electrified by Dr. King's impassioned speech, played a significant role in bringing an end to the oppressive Jim Crow laws, leading to the passing of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 and marking the beginning of the modern civil rights era.
Decades after the March on Washington, Dr. King's dream lives on. On that historic day, over 200,000 demonstrators joined the March on Washington in the nation's capital. Their efforts succeeded in pressuring the Kennedy administration to initiate crucial civil rights legislation in Congress.
Moving Forward
As we at Advancing Justice - AAJC commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, we are reminded of both the progress our country has made and the work that still lies ahead. We will be cochairing the Cross-Racial, Cultural and Generational March at the Lincoln Memorial on August 26th.
While Dr. King's dream of equality for all has seen some realization, challenges persist. Police violence against African Americans and other minority communities continue to occur, sparking outrage and protests across the nation. The use of excessive force, racial profiling, and systemic biases within law enforcement have contributed to a sense of injustice and fear within these communities. In addition to police brutality, other struggles persist. Dr. King once declared that he would not be satisfied until every African American had the right to vote, and though we've witnessed the election of the first African American president as well as over 9,000 African American elected officials, discriminatory voter ID laws still threaten to disenfranchise eligible minority voters. Moreover, while the scourge of racial segregation has been dismantled, new hurdles have emerged. Immigrants, who once fought for access to public benefits and inclusion in the American Dream, still face struggles on their path to full naturalization.
As we reflect on March on Washington sixty years later, let us remember the power of unity and collective action. Dr. King's dream lives on, and it is up to each generation to carry it forward, continuing the work for a more just and inclusive society for all.