March on Washington | 60th Anniversary
In this article:
What is the March on Washington?
When is the March on Washington 2023?
Ways you can spread the word and continue the work started 60 years ago.
My late grandfather Dr. Jerry Bob Chambers was dedicated to teaching his students civil rights history through shared experiences. In 2015 he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, but he was determined to make the Selma 50 trip for his students. Although he knew that his cancer had gotten worse, he refused any treatment until after the Selma 50 trip was over.
He said, "I'm not going to let it stop us. It’s in God’s hands. What we are going to do is get those kids to Selma and get them across that bridge.”
My grandfather nearly collapsed in Montgomery Alabama March 7 and that Sunday morning, March 8, he was too ill to continue on to cross the bridge, even in a wheelchair.
“I’m tired, and I’ve gone as far as I can go. I want to go back home, but make sure you get the kids across that bridge.”
Too sick to make a bus trip home to Dallas, my grandfather asked a friend to drive him back to Dallas where he passed away on Saturday April 4, 2015, the 47th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination. He, at 78, passed away of pancreatic cancer at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
I’m honored to continue the legacy through a shared experience of my own. A couple of weeks ago I was invited to be part of a private zoom call with Martin Luther King III and Arndrea Waters King, a number of other individuals and organizations dedicated to continuing a work started 60 years ago (via The Soze Agency.)
“It only takes a few good people to bring about change”
-Martin Luther King III
What is the March on Washington?
Officially called The March on Washington for jobs and freedom, this historic moment happened on August 28th, 1963. More than 250,000 people gathered in front of The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C to protest racial discrimination. Originally conceived by renowned labor leader A. Phillip Randolph and Roy Wilkins, Executive Secretary of the NAACP, the March on Washington evolved into a collaborative effort amongst major civil rights groups and icons of the day.
Idea: (Fulfill the promise of the Emancipation Proclamation) bring over 100,000 people to Washington to basically demand full citizenship. African Americans had been barred from Occupations, Movie theaters and so much more.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was only slated to speak for 4 minutes at the March, but he went on to speak for 16 minutes giving one of the most iconic speeches in history.
2. When is The 2023 March On Washington?
This August, Martin Luther King, III, Arndrea Waters King, and Rev. Al Sharpton will participate in events marking the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. A continuation, not commemoration, of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s work, the event will bring together the three global civil rights leaders and partner organizations from across the country to evaluate the progress made to achieve Dr. King’s “dream,” and also highlight the work still needed to bring about peace, justice, and equity in the world.
DATE: August 26, 2023
TIME: 8am - 2pm ET
LOCATION: Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.
3. Ways you can join in on the movement
Educate your loved ones young and mature on how important The March on Washington was. Get books that will teach the youth about their history. We’ve come far, but we have so much more to do!
Join The King family and other artists and movement leaders in Washington D.C on August 26th, 2023 from 8am-2pm ET. The goal of this March is to highlight the work that still needs to be done to bring peace, justice and equality into our society.
Follow The Soze Agency and Amplify the March on your Social media platforms. Share graphics and information directly to your Instagram and Facebook that will spark conversation and even encourage others to join in!
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