Kavya Sukumar/MNS
WASHINGTON — Half a century after Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech rang across the world, thousands relived the moment Wednesday by rallying at the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate that momentous event.
On the steps of Lincoln’s shrine, a star-studded lineup, including President Barack Obama, former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey reminded the crowd of how much has been gained and how far the nation still needs to travel in honoring King’s dream.
“This reflects a lot of progress made. Lot of things are happening and moving forward on a positive note,” said R.J. Pitts of Mississippi, who was volunteering during the march.
Talk of reclaiming the mood of the original march was central to the event. Those who participated50 years ago were honored by Alabama State University students before they led the walk down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the National Mall. To mark the occasion, crowds sang, “We Shall Overcome” and “Wade in the Water,” songs sung at the original march.
Trudging along in the rain Kerra Daniel, a student at Alabama State, said she felt privileged to replicate what her grandmother did 50 years ago.
“It is important because my grandma was part of the civil rights movement,” she said. “…and I can understand what she went through.”
Moving down the National Mall, marchers braved hot and muggy weather and a light rain. Strict security checks at the Lincoln Memorial, necessitated by Obama’s attendance, did not dull their spirits.
Prevalent themes for those speaking included condemnations of the recent Supreme Court ruling striking down parts of the Voting Rights Act, stand-your-ground laws in the states, and the stop-and-frisk policy of the New York Police Department.
The center point of the celebration was Obama’s address. Marking the anniversary as a red-letter day in the nation’s history, Obama said King gave “mighty voice to the quiet hopes of millions.”
“To say that little has changed dishonors the courage that those who paid the price to march in those years,” said Obama.
Former President Carter, a southerner, spoke of his closeness to the King family and how he, Obama and Clinton, were inspired in their political careers by King’s example.
“This march and that speech changed America. They opened minds and opened hearts including a 17-year-old boy watching in his home in Arkansas,” Clinton said of the impact the March on Washington had on him.
The event Wednesday was the second major commemoration in Washington of the original march. An alternate march organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton-led National Action Network attracted tens of thousands on Saturday.