On Monday, Aug. 28, from 6-8 pm, there will be a rally in Annapolis to celebrate the 54th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Justice.
As Monica Lindsey, one of the rally organizers puts it:
“54 years ago in a great place called Washington, D.C. some everyday people showed commitment and strength to building a better nation. The sacrifices made by Martin Luther King, Dick Gregory, and others affords us the opportunity to follow in their footsteps and continue to echo the same calls for justice. The causes they fought for 54 years ago are still relevant today.”
Coretta Scott King was a champion of women’s rights, gay rights and a voice of freedom, dignity, and nonviolence. She said, “Women, if the soul of a nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul.” As a woman and Mother, I feel this call and believe that we must all respond in order to right our path.”
Monday’s rally is a chance for us all to come together once again in unity and speak for peace and progress in our town, in our state, in our Nation.
The event follows the Charlottesville Support Rally, which brought out hundreds of people on very short notice. One of the most encouraging things about that rally was the number of families and children. These children are the future of our society, and hopefully, they will take on seriously, but also with joy, the challenge to get out and be heard.
Why is this rally potentially “Historic”? Look at the list of co-sponsoring groups. A new coalition of political and civic groups has risen since the election and has joined with the social justice community to work for towards a combined message of unity for the cause of racial justice and social progress in the City, and across the State. In diversity, it will find strength. It has evolved from shared struggles during the legislative session, council meetings, and a number of town halls and other events that have taken place over the past few months.
These groups include The Caucus of African American Leaders and the Anne Arundel County NAACP with the support and participation of Action Annapolis, Anne Arundel County Indivisible, Anne Arundel Indivisible Coalition, Anne Arundel Young Democrats, Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, We Persist – Women of Greater Annapolis, WISE, Annapolis Indivisible, and other social justice groups, and persons from throughout the county, state, and region who are concerned with social justice.
If this new team of activists can continue to hang together with those who have been fighting for many years, between now and the next presidential election, the balance of political power in this country will be changed for the good, possibly forever.
You have the opportunity to be present to watch the future change its course.
It will take place at the Civil Rights Foot Soldier Memorial 44 Calvert Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
The event will also honor the legacy of Dick Gregory.
There will be a diverse program of speakers, including a veteran of the 1963 March. There will be music, singing, and crowd participation.
John Wells attended the 1968 March on Washington and continues to be active in city and national politics. John started the group Annapolis Indivisible.
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