Thousands gather for DC march on anniversary of MLK ‘I Have a Dream’ speech

Thousands of people gathered in Washington, D.C., on Friday to march against racial injustice and police brutality, an event that also commemorated the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

The 57th anniversary of the civil rights march comes amid a summer of nationwide protests and civil unrest following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who died after a Minneapolis police knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

It also coincides with protests erupting earlier this week in Kenosha, Wis., after an officer shot another Black man, Jacob Blake, multiple times in the back. Blake survived the shooting but is currently paralyzed from the waist down, according to family.

Large crowds of people showing up to attend the #CommitmentMarch at the #LincolnMemorial #WashingtonDC #dc @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/cXe6nMftVK

— NBCPhotog (@bforte22) August 28, 2020

Thousands of people look on as the #CommitmentMarch @nbcwashington #WashingtonDC #dc pic.twitter.com/Av7wZh8vmu

— NBCPhotog (@bforte22) August 28, 2020

Friday’s event, titled “Commitment March: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks,” was announced by civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton during his eulogy for Floyd in June. It is being hosted by Sharpton’s National Action Network.

Sharpton is expected to speak at the event, as are members of Floyd’s family. King’s son, Martin Luther King III, and King’s granddaughter spoke at midday. 

The Rev. Al Sharpton has arrived to the #MarchOnWashington with the family of Breonna Taylor, who are all wearing shirts with her face on it pic.twitter.com/dOWea9fw6r

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 28, 2020

Martin Luther King III on the steps of the #LincolnMemorial #CommitmentMarch #WashingtonDC #dc @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/Db0JzWJeJn

— NBCPhotog (@bforte22) August 28, 2020

Speeches are being given at the Lincoln Memorial, a parallel to the original March on Washington. Attendees will then walk to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial roughly a half-mile away.

The program began at 11 a.m. and the march begins at 1 p.m., according to the website. Events are scheduled to conclude by 3 p.m.

“This intergenerational inclusive day of action will demonstrate our advocacy for comprehensive police accountability reform, the Census, and mobilizing voters for the November elections,” the website reads.

Preparations are under way for the “Get Your Knee Off Our Necks” March on Washington hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network pic.twitter.com/XJH4lrOK7i

— Michael M. Santiago (@msantiagophotos) August 28, 2020

BET NEWS PRESENTS: “A MARCH FOR ACTION”
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28 AT 11AM ET ON BET

Two-Hour News Special with LIVE Coverage of the National Action Network’s Commitment March: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks.

Gather: 7am
Pre-Program: 8am-11am
Program: 11am-1pm
March: 1pm pic.twitter.com/gTTcvGlvgm

— NationalActionNet (@NationalAction) August 27, 2020

The District of Columbia is currently requiring people coming from coronavirus high-risk states, including both Wisconsin and Minnesota, to quarantine for 14 days when visiting the city, the outlet noted.

Due to the pandemic, organizers said they are restricting access to buses from those states. Free COVID-19 testing will also be provided at the event.

Sharpton appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and said organizers are requiring attendees to wear face masks and undergo temperature checks.

They will require people to remain socially distant, including being 6 feet apart during the march.

“We’re going to show the country today what they didn’t see last night — a disciplined but responsible gathering. Otherwise, we would close it down,” Sharpton said, appearing to reference President Trump’s White House speech at the Republican National Convention that did not require social distancing or face coverings.

The 2020 NAN “Get Your Knee Off Our Neck” March on Washington is today, I am live on MSNBC’s #MorningJoe underlining how we will rally and march today at the Lincoln Memorial in an organized manner practicing & heavily enforcing covid-19 safety measures. pic.twitter.com/93VRWCsY1D

— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) August 28, 2020

There will also be a virtual commemoration for those who cannot attend the march, featuring civil rights activist the Rev. William Barber. The online event will reportedly include advocates, politicians, artists and entertainers.

Another march is scheduled for right after the March on Washington to promote more radical ideals, according to Reuters.

Kerrigan Williams, a founder of Freedom Fighters DC, said the group believes “the march on Washington is too reformist and performative for our taste.”

After two weeks of both the Democratic and Republican national conventions, activists are also scheduling a “Black National Convention” on Friday night.

The three-hour convention over livestream has been in the works since last fall, according to Reuters.

Organizer Jessica Byrd told the outlet that it will feature about 100 Black activists and discussions about criminal justice and capitalism

“We feel like it’s going to be a Black political Homecoming weekend,” she said.