Tens of thousands of people gathered at the National Mall Aug. 24 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 March on Washington, according to CBS News.
The eventwhich ponsored by the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network, Martin Luther King III and the NAACP sponsoredfeatured speakers such as King, Sharpton, Attorney General Eric Holder, Newark (N.J.) Mayor Cory Booker and Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. They spoke from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where 50 years ago this month King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
King III paid tribute to his father. "Five decades ago my father stood upon this hallowed spot" and "crystallized like never before the painful pilgrimage and aching aspirations of African-Americans yearning to breathe free," the son said.
Holder (according to prepared remarks The White House released) said, "As we gather today, 50 years later, their marchnow our marchgoes on. And our focus has broadened to include the cause of women, of Latinos, of Asian-Americans, of lesbians, of gays, of people with disabilities, and of countless others across this country who still yearn for equality, opportunity, and fair treatment."
A second rally at the Lincoln Memorial on Wed., Aug. 28, in connection with the 50th Anniversary March on Washington events, is slated to include speeches by Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, the Washington Blade reported. Also scheduled to speak is lesbian activist Eliza Byard, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN).