March on Washington

March on Washington • Was planned for August 28th, 1963 • Followed the events in Birmingham • Bull Connor, firehoses and attack dogs • Kennedy bro’s tried to prevent march and speechs • Fear of violence • Fear of criticism on Kennedy’s social policy • 200,000 Americans gather at the Lincoln Memorial

Views in the Press The vast majority of their countrymen concur in demands for equality by Negroes and other minorities, and they deplore the inequities that have led to the civil rights march. But they are concerned -- as apparently are demonstration officials -- that the march could somehow miscarry, that the very numbers participating will make it vulnerable to disorder... ...A demonstration that falls into violence would be disastrous, but even a well-ordered march is not likely to change the position of Congress members, pro or con, on the President's civil rights proposals. And although proper federal legislation will be helpful, the main fight to end discrimination must still be waged at the local and state level. Los Angels Times, August 27, 1963

Views in the Press The huge assemblage of Negro and white citizens in Washington yesterday to demand equality in all aspects of American life embodied, in concept and in execution, the noblest tradition of our democracy. It reflected their conviction that, if enough of the people demonstrate that they care enough, no force in the United States is more powerful than an appeal to conscience and basic morality. ...The discipline maintained by the civil rights pilgrims was as impressive as their dedication. That so vast a movement could be carried out with such decorum is a tribute to the responsibility of both leaders and followers... New York Times, August 29, 1963

Not just about MLK • Rev. John Lewis’s speech was an area of concern for President Kennedy – • Lewis was only 23 when he gave this speech. • The government was more concerned with what Lewis had to say then with King • Look back over the selected excerpts from Lewis’s speech. Identify what the Kennedy’s were so concerned with • Lewis’s speech was significantly edited to allow for the protest to continue. • Accused Kennedy of ignoring the issues of equality • Ending reworded • More controversial statements removed

A. Phillip Randolph, who had called for a march on Washington since the 1940’s, begged Lewis to edit his speech. Lewis speaking from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

And of course there was Martin

And then he was gone

Others who died for a cause

Freedom Summer ‘64 • Freedom Summer • 1,000 northern white college students to help blacks in Mississippi vote • June 21 – Day 1 • 3 young men disappear • James Chaney (21), Andrew Goodman (20) Michael Schwerner (24) • Sent to investigate a burned church, arrested by Klan member Sherrif Price • Boys are shot and buried in dam. • 44 day search • June 21, 2005 – Edgar Ray Killen convicted on conspiracy charges in their deaths

Medger Evers • Served in Army, stormed beaches at Normandy • Graduated from Alcorn State U. • Lived in Miss – founded local chapters of NAACP. • Applied and was denied from U. of Miss. Law School. • Worked to help James Meredith enroll in Ole Miss. • Murdered on June 12, 1963 in his driveway • Assassin, Byron De La Beckwith, had two hung juries in 1960’s. Finally convicted in 1994

And Malcolm

March on Washington