The Southern Christian Leadership Conference – Southern California Chapter will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington with a series of free public events starting Thursday, August 24, and continuing through Tuesday, August 29.
A coalition of civic, ecumenical and community leaders will unite with SCLC-SC to participate in panels, receptions, and other activities to highlight the historic event. On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people converged outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to advocate for civil rights and social justice.
“The 60th Anniversary Celebration of the March on Washington events are momentous occasions and opportunities that reminds us of the power of collective action in the fight for justice. We are honored to bring together our beloved community to commemorate this historic event and continue the work towards creating a more just and equitable society,” said the Rev. William Smart, SCLC-SC
president/CEO.
“By honoring this momentous occasion, we are renewing our commitment to the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fought tirelessly for the promise of ‘one nation, under God, indivisible,’ and for the restoration of the ‘soul’ of America.”
Activities kick-off with “SCLC-SC 60 Years Later: The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” on Thursday, August 24, at 6 p.m., in the Public Works Chamber at L.A. City Hall. The panel discussion will feature Dr. Maulana Karenga, CSULB; Latricia Mitchell, NAACP-LA Branch president; Michael Lawson, L.A. Urban League president; Tom Saenz, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund president; Dr. Helena Johnson, National Council of Negro Women – Southern California president; and Simboa Wright, SEIU 721 vice president.
Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Public Works Commissioner Mike Davis will co-host the event. Niele Anderson will moderate the session and the evening includes the MLK art display curated by Randy McSwain.
MLK Young Dreamers For Justice: Voter Registration Workshop takes place on Sunday, August 27, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at 15300 Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks. To RSVP, call (747) 444-0902 or at Instagram @Mlk_Young_Dreamer_For_Justice.
On Monday, August 28, at 6 p.m., the SCLC-SC 60th Anniversary Celebration will be held at Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 W Adams Blvd in Los Angeles. The program will recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the pursuit of justice and equality.
The honorees and program participants are Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chair of Africana Studies at Cal State Long Beach and executive director of the African American Cultural Center (US); Felipe Ceceres, coordinator of The Fix LA Alliance; Attorney Do Kim, president of the KW Lee Center; Rev. Dr. James Lawson, pastor emeritus of Holman UMC; Inner-City Youth Orchestra, Charles Dickerson III, director; vocalist Lura Daniels-Ball, who will perform excerpts from “MLK: A Tribute in Song;” Rabbi Sharon Brous, senior and founding rabbi of IKAR; Patsy Ostroy, a participant in the 1963 March on Washington; and the Rev. Dr. Ken Walden, Holman UMC senior pastor.
The concluding event will be “Beyond The Dream: How The LA Labor Movement Is Fulfilling Dr. King’s Dream For Jobs And Freedom” on Tuesday, August 29, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The virtual panel discussion will broadcast on Facebook Live @SCLCSoCal.
Participants include Yvonne Wheeler, L.A. County Federation of Labor president; Anton Farmby, SEIU-USWW vice president; Max Arias, SEIU Local 99 president; Eric Haywood, Writers Guild Of America board member; Victor Mineros, Teamsters 396 secretary-treasurer; Simboa Wright, SEIU 721 vice president; Joely Fisher, SAG-AFTRA national secretary-treasurer; and Kurt Petersen, UNITE HERE Local 11 co-president.
All events are free and open to the public. To register or obtain more information, visit sclc-sc.org or email [email protected]
