Head of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC to Speak at 60th Anniversary of the March On Washington
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Washington, D.C. – On August 26, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian American Justice Center (Advancing Justice – AAJC) John C. Yang will speak at the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC is the only Asian American co-chair for the March, which aims to continue Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s lifelong work of advancing justice and civil rights for the African American community, and for all.
The 60th anniversary march commemorates the 1963 March on Washington, a turning point of the Civil Rights Movement that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Today, there is still much work to be done to advance Dr. King’s “dream.”
“On Saturday we will march in continuation of the great Dr. King’s dream for Black liberation and equality for all,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Advancing Justice - AAJC. “We will not rest until justice has been achieved for all. As Asian Americans, we must do our part to show up and unite in racial solidarity with our Black community members – not only at the March on Washington, but every day until Dr. King’s dream is fully realized. Our fight for equity is one and the same.”
Yang is among a line-up of speakers who will be delivering remarks to a crowd of marchers from the Lincoln Memorial, steps away from the site of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Featured speakers include Reverend Al Sharpton, Arndrea King, Martin Luther King III, civil rights leaders, activists, and several attendees from the first historic march.
Yang is scheduled to speak between noon and 1 pm to discuss the need for the Asian American community to stand in solidarity with the Black community, and to continue the fight for equality and civil rights until Dr. King’s "dream" has been achieved.
Several Asian American civil rights groups have joined forces to march in solidarity, including:
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC)
- Asian American Pacific Islander Victory Fund (AAPI Victory Fund)
- American Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote)
- Asian American Advisory Board – Miami Dade, FL
- Asian American Federation of Florida
- Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF)
- Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association
- The Centre for Asian and Pacific Islanders (CAPI USA)
- Civility for All Foundation
- Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC)
- Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)
- National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF)
- National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA)
- OCA Greater Cleveland
- Our Hong Kong Foundation
- The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)
- The Sikh Coalition
The 60th anniversary of the March on Washington will be livestreamed on National Action Network and C-SPAN.