Tens of thousands of people flocked to Washington D.C. over the weekend to kick off a week of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, which included the iconic “I have a dream” speech by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Many in D.C. Saturday were there for the original event five decades ago, including retired school teacher Sylvia Lieberman of Philadelphia. Like so many others in attendance, Lieberman believes the work is far from done to bring equality and fairness to all Americans.
Philadelphia County Senior Common Pleas Judge John Braxton was also in the nation’s capital this weekend. He says he and others owe it to the next generation to keep Dr. King’s dream alive.
The March on Washington on August 28, 1963 is seen as a pivotal turning point in the fight for civil rights for African Americans. Dr. King delivered his famous speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and while that event is marked by an understated stone on the spot where Dr. King stood, King now has his own monument in Washington, a short walk from where he talked about his dream of equality.
(Vince Thompson of Thompson Mediaman Communications contributed to this report)