PHOTO: 60th anniversary of March on Washington

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April 28, 2024 | WTOP's Dick Uliano covers the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington

Thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial under a blazing sun Saturday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech and to continue to push for racial equality.

Marking the 60th anniversary of the march on Washington led by Dr. Martin Luther King demonstrators at the Lincoln Memorial say it’s imperative to carry on the fight for rights and justice ⁦@WTOP⁩ pic.twitter.com/w8wGCjK4CR

— Dick Uliano (@DickUliano) Aug. 26, 2023

Elaine Lawson, of Jersey City, New Jersey, was in D.C. in 1963 for the original march — the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, still considered one of the most consequential racial justice demonstrations in U.S. history.

“I was 21, and I shared the moment with my husband-to-be,” Lawson recalled.

Now 80, she retraced her steps from 60 years ago before finding a shady spot to rest and reflect.

Of Saturday’s event, Lawson said she hopes “this kindles a lot of hope and that people know there’s still a fight that has to go on.”

Crowds gathered under the blazing sun Saturday to commemorate the 1963 march. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

Many attendees came by bus from across the nation.

Richard Cummings, of Lansing, Michigan, said he was there to carry on the struggle.

“I decided to come here — not a commemoration but a continuation of the fight for freedom and justice, voting rights,” he said.

Some in the crowd sought the shelter of nearby shade trees. Others stood under the hot sun holding up signs proclaiming democracy and voting rights. The demonstrators listened to speakers before stepping off on a march to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

Demonstrators commemorate the 1963 march on Washington with march from the Lincoln Memorial to the ML King Memorial @WTOP pic.twitter.com/1ETMc22F8y

— Dick Uliano (@DickUliano) Aug. 26, 2023

The event was convened by the Kings’ Drum Major Institute and the Rev. Al Sharpton‘s National Action Network.

Speakers delivered a number of different messages under the banner of justice. Speakers and banners talked about the importance of LGBTQ and Asian American rights. Many who addressed the crowd were women. The 1963 march featured only one female speaker.

While the crowd was smaller than 1963 when as many as 250,000 gathered, the Associated Press said Saturday’s crowed numbered in the tens of thousands.

WTOP’s Dick Uliano and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Martin Luther King III (C, L) and the Rev. Al Sharpton (C,R) lead the march on the 60th anniversary of the civil rights March on Washington, in Washington, DC, on August 26, 2023. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 26: Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton delivers remarks at the 60th Anniversary Of The March On Washington at the Lincoln Memorial on August 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. The march commemorates the 60th anniversary of Dr, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where more than a quarter million people marched on the National Mall for civil rights. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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People participate in the 60th anniversary of the civil rights March on Washington at the LIncoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on August 26, 2023. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 26: Civil rights activist Arndrea Waters King, joined by her daughter Yolong King and husband Martin Luther King III, delivers remarks at the 60th Anniversary Of The March On Washington at the Lincoln Memorial on August 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. The march commemorates the 60th anniversary of Dr, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where more than a quarter million people marched on the National Mall for civil rights. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 26: U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA), joined by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), delivers remarks at the 60th Anniversary Of The March On Washington at the Lincoln Memorial on August 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. The march commemorates the 60th anniversary of Dr, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where more than a quarter million people marched on the National Mall for civil rights. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 26: The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks as an interpreter signs during the 60th Anniversary Of The March On Washington at the Lincoln Memorial on August 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. The march commemorates the 60th anniversary of Dr, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where more than a quarter million people marched on the National Mall for civil rights. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Thousands attended the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington on Aug. 26, 2023. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

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Thousands attended the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington on Aug. 26, 2023. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

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Thousands attended the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington on Aug. 26, 2023. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

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Thousands attended the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington on Aug. 26, 2023. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

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People listen to speakers during the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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Marsha Dean Phelts, 79, of Amelia Island, Fla., left, and Avril Trancoso, 66, listen to speakers during the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., stands with members of the Congressional Black Caucus as he speaks at the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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People listen to speakers during the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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People walk to attend the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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The Washington Monument is reflected in the reflecting pool during the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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T’Kyrra Terrell, 6, who her grandmother says has been marching and protesting since she was 2, poses for a portrait on her way to the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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People walk along the reflecting pool during the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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Civil rights activist Andrew Young speaks at the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 26: Civil rights supporters attend the 60th Anniversary Of The March On Washington at the Lincoln Memorial on August 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. The march commemorates the 60th anniversary of Dr, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where more than a quarter million people marched on the National Mall for civil rights. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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A person holds an image of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as they listen to speakers during the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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A small crowd of demonstrators gather beneath a blazing sun at the Lincoln Memorial to remember the historic March on Washington of 1963. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

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A small crowd of demonstrators gather beneath a blazing sun at the Lincoln Memorial to remember the historic March on Washington of 1963. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

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A small crowd of demonstrators gather beneath a blazing sun at the Lincoln Memorial to remember the historic March on Washington of 1963. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

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People listen to speakers during an event to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom at the Lincoln Memorial, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Washington. The Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King, III, and Andrea Waters King have brought together 60 national organizations across racial, cultural, and generational lines as partners for the anniversary. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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Pamela mays McDonald, of Philadelphia, right, with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. arrives to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom at the Lincoln Memorial, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Washington. “I was 8 years old at the original March and only one woman was allowed to speak – she was from Arkansas where I’m from – now look at how many women are on the podium today,” said McDonald. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 26: A civil rights supporter holds up a sign of former U.S. President Donald Trump as he attends the 60th Anniversary Of The March On Washington at the Lincoln Memorial on August 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. The march commemorates the 60th anniversary of Dr, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom where more than a quarter million people marched on the National Mall for civil rights. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. pose for a photo in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Washington, as they gather to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King, III, and Andrea Waters King have brought together 60 national organizations across racial, cultural, and generational lines as partners for the anniversary. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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Attendees at the 60th March on Washington hold up flags and homemade signs.

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Trevva Barr, of Alexandria, Va., second from left, holds a flag that commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Washington for Jobs and Freedom at the Lincoln Memorial, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)