Photo-essay: 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington 8/24/2013

VOTE as an act of self-defense & self-respect.

On June 25, 2013 The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a key provision of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965.This decision effectively frees nine states, plus parts of several others with a history of racial discrimination, from having to get federal approval before making changes to their voting laws.This was a key issue being represented and voiced at the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington.

Marching for justice with a cardboard cut-out of President Barack Obama. President Obama will make a speech at the August 28th commemoration of the the March on Washington, standing in the same place at the Lincoln Memorial as Martin Luther King, Jr. did in the 1963 march on Washington.

Tens of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall to commemorate the 1963 March on Washington. The march was sponsored by the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, Martin Luther King III and the NAACP.

The March on Washington is best remembered for Dr. King's stirring vision of a United States free of inequality and prejudice

There were various “mini-marches” of groups protesting an array of social issues throughout the National Mall.

WE ARE ONE. Drummers at the Mall.

Two young boys pose with ninety-two year old William Allison of Mathews, Georgia, who also attended the 1963 March on Washington.

People of all races, ages and backgrounds commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Mach on Washington.

Two men take in some of the exhibits at the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington

Demanding an end to racist violence.

Police on horseback keep order along the march route.

The People’s Organization for Progress is an independent, grassroots, community based, politically progressive association of citizens working for racial, social and economic justice and greater unity in the community. At the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington they march for Justice for Trayvon Martin.

Tens of thousands of people marched to commemorate King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, pledging that his dream includes equality for LGBT people, Latinos, the poor and disabled. The event was a homage to a generation of activists that endured fire hoses, police abuse and indignities to demand equality for African-Americans. There was a strong theme of unfinished business.

Martin Luther King III marches with his wife Andrea and two unidentified men to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington.

Rep John Lewis (D-GA 5th District) marched with thousands of others to commemorate the 1963 March on Washington, when at twenty-three years of age was the youngest person standing shoulder to shoulder with Martin Luther King, Jr., a man he calls his big brother, inspiration and hero.

Activists and Civil rights luminaries lead the 50th anniversary of the1963 March on Washington. In this single image appears Trayvon Martin’s family; parents Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin and brother Jahvaris Fulton, Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King III, Marc Morial; President of the National Urban League and others.

Newark, New Jersey Mayor Corey Booker marching with thousands of others at the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.

New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams (D-East Flatbush) at the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington.

All eyes on the future. A young man holds an NAACP poster “We March to End Racial Profiling”

A young man gets a makeshift telescopic view of the march as his father beams with pride.

WE SHALL OVERCOME!