Some things have changed in the past 60 years – but racism still exists. Thousands of people gathered in Washington on Saturday to commemorate Martin Luther King’s famous speech.
A scalding hot day on the National Mall in Washington DC – just like 60 years ago when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous speech with the quote “I have a dream” on the same spot. Thousands of people flocked to the mall from across the country on Saturday to demonstrate for black equality.
On August 28, 1963, up to 250,000 people gathered in Washington to hear King’s legendary speech. The pastor and civil rights activist said at the time that he dreamed of his four children living in a country where they would not be judged on the color of their skin but on their character. The rally went down in US history as one of the largest and most influential demonstrations for the pursuit of black equality.
More protests against injustice
“You are the continuation of the movement,” civil rights activist Al Sharpton said in his speech at the rally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. At the memorial march, he promised to encourage more protests against injustice in the future. “60 years ago Martin Luther King spoke of a dream. 60 years later we are the dreamers.”
Sharpton was critical of the Republicans who want to make it more difficult for black people to vote in the United States. “They want to stop black people from voting, but we’ll do it anyway. No matter how difficult you make it, we’ll still come.” He also criticized the debate about the right to abortion, which has been restricted in several Republican states since the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional law in force in the summer of 2022.
Many women took the floor
In contrast to the historical demonstration, the speeches and banners also emphasized the importance of LGBTQ people and the rights of Asian Americans. Many women took the floor, whereas a good 60 years ago only one woman was given the microphone.
Alphonso David, President and Executive Secretary of the Global Black Economic Forum, stated: “We have made progress in the past 60 years since Dr. King led the march on Washington. Have we reached the mountain top? Far from it.”
After the speeches, the crowd marched to the Martin Luther King memorial near the National Mall.
The granddaughter also gave a speech
In addition to many civil rights activists, King’s family also came – including the 15-year-old granddaughter Yolanda King. If she could speak to her grandfather today, she would be sorry that they still have to be here to complete his work and make the dream come true, she said in a speech.
“Sixty years ago, Dr. King challenged us to fight the triple evil: racism, poverty and bigotry,” she said. “Today, racism is still with us. Poverty is still with us. And now there is gun violence in places of worship, our schools and our shopping malls.”
On Saturday, a young white man shot dead three people before killing himself at a store in a black-majority neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida. The local sheriff cited hatred of black people as the motive for the crime.
Yolanda King performed with her father, Martin Luther King III, in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
anniversary on Monday
Yolanda King’s father, Martin Luther King III, feared for democracy. They have to be preserved, protected and even expanded, said King’s eldest son in his speech. He is very concerned about the direction in which the country is moving. You have the feeling “as if we are not moving forward – but moving backwards”.
After the speeches, the crowd marched to the King’s memorial near the National Mall. The actual anniversary of the March on Washington is Monday. Then President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris want to meet with the organizers of the 1963 protest march. All of King’s children were also invited, the White House said.
With information from Claudia Sarre, ARD Studio Washington