Arts & Entertainment
Guide to March on Washington 50th Anniversary Events
Read about the wealth of special events happening daily from Thursday, Aug. 22 to Wednesday, Aug. 28, including tips on transportation and road closures.
Thousands of visitors will flock toĀ Washington, D.C. in the coming weekĀ to commemorate theĀ 50th anniversary of theĀ MarchĀ on WashingtonĀ for Jobs and Freedom.Ā
As part of the historicĀ march a half-century ago,Ā Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered hisĀ famous āI Have a Dreamā speechĀ on August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
āWe are calling on people across America and throughout the world to join with us as we pause to mark the 50th anniversary of my fatherās 'I Have a Dream' speech with āLet Freedom Ringā bell-ringing events and programs that affirm the unity of people of all races, religions and nations,ā King Center C.E.O. Bernice A. King said in a press release about the commemorative march.Ā
Between now and Wednesday there will be exhibits,Ā commemorative marches, and a presidential address, among other events,Ā to mark the occasion.Ā
One of the hallmark events of the weekend is theĀ 50th Anniversary March on Washington Realize the Dream March and RallyĀ on the NationalĀ Mall, Saturday fromĀ 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The march begins at the Lincoln Memorial and will make its way over to theĀ Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial for a brief ceremony.
The closing ceremony for the week of events will be the "Let Freedom Ring" ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28. Scheduled to speak are former Presidents Jimmy Carter andĀ Bill Clinton, andĀ PresidentĀ Barack Obama. The event runs fromĀ 11 a.m. to 4Ā p.m. at The Lincoln Memorial.
Transportation:Ā
MetroĀ will operate normal weekend service Aug. 24-25Ā on all rail lines to accommodate the expected crowds. The only exception will beĀ Franconia-Springfield Station, where trains will depart every 24 minutes instead of every 12 to 20 minutes.
MetroĀ created aĀ visitor's brochureĀ especially for the event.
To attend theĀ 50th Anniversary March on Washington Realize the Dream March and RallyĀ on the NationalĀ MallĀ Saturday, Metro suggests that riders use the following four stations:
- Farragut North (Red Line)
- Farragut West (Orange andĀ Blue Lines)
- SmithsonianĀ (Orange andĀ Blue Lines)
- Arlington Cemetery (Blue Line)
Road Closures:
The National Park Service will close the Arlington Memorial Bridge to vehicular traffic Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accommodate crowds for theĀ 50th Anniversary March on Washington Realize the Dream March and Rally.
Full Schedule of Events:
Saturday, Aug.24
50th Anniversary March on Washington National Action to Realize the Dream MarchĀ & RallyĀ āJobs, Justice, PeaceĀ Ā & Freedomā
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC
Find out what's happening in Burkefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Primary contact:Ā Ā Janaye Ingram,Ā jingram@nationalactionnetwork.net, (202) 293-3232
Find out what's happening in Burkefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
March on Washington 50th Anniversary Family Day Program
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: National Portrait Gallery,Ā Eighth and F Streets, NW
Commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, during this fun event for the whole family presented by the National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Tour the exhibition One Life: Martin Luther King Jr. to learn more about the civil rights leader and his famous āI Have a Dreamā speech, enjoy vocal performances by Kim and Reggie Harris, story reading, and participate in hands-on activities such as slogan button-making. The event is free and open to families.
Global Freedom Festival
2 to 7 p.m.
The National Mall, 7th & 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Celebrating the Legacy of A. Philip Randolph & Bayard Rustin
44th Annual A. Philip Randolph Institute National Conference
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
To register go toĀ www.apri.org
A. Philip Randolph Institute 44th National Youth Education Conference
Noon to 5:45 p.m.
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
To register go toĀ www.apri.orgĀ Ā
Film Festival
4 p.m.
African American Civil War Museum 1925 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC
Peace Music
6 p.m.
15th Street Presbyterian Church, 1705 15th Street, NW Washington, DC
Sunday, Aug. 25
Global Freedom Festival
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The National Mall,Ā 7th & 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC
OPEN TO THE PUBLICĀ
SCLC Worship Service
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Howard University, Washington, DC
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Celebrating the Legacy of A. Philip Randolph & Bayard Rustin
44th Annual A. Philip Randolph Institute National Conference
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill,Ā 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
To register go toĀ www.apri.org
A. Philip Randolph Institute 44th National Youth Education Conference
Highlights: āWe Got Nextā Youth Activism: Panel & Forum
9 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill,Ā 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
To register go toĀ www.apri.org
Drum Circle: āDrumming 4 Justiceā
3:30pm
Malcolm X (Meridian Hill) Park
Monday, Aug. 26
Global Freedom Festival
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The National Mall
7th & 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Celebrating the Legacy of A. Philip Randolph & Bayard Rustin
44th Annual A. Philip Randolph Institute National Conference
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill,Ā 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
To register go toĀ www.apri.orgĀ
A. Philip Randolph Institute 44th National Youth Education Conference
Highlight: Obamacare Forum Health Summit
7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill,Ā 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
To register go toĀ www.apri.org
Discussion: What Dr. Kingās Legacy Teaches about Guns?
4 p.m.
First Congregation United Church of Christ 945 G Street, NW
1963: Raising the Conscience of a Nation
5:30 p.m.
Law Offices of Hogan Lovells 555 13th Street, NW Washington, DC
Bayard Rustin Commemoration
7 toĀ 9 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre,Ā 1215 U Street, NW, Washington, DC
To register go toĀ www.apri.org
SCLC Legacy & Leadership Gala
Time: 7 toĀ 9 p.m.
Capital Hilton,Ā 1001 16th St NW, Washington, DC
To register go to:Ā www.sclc.org
Tuesday, Aug. 27Ā
K-12th Grade Educational Initiative
Grades K ā 8 ā 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Grades 9 ā 12 ā 9 toĀ 11 a.m.
Will be Accessible via Online Streaming
Global Freedom Festival
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The National Mall,Ā 7th & 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Celebrating the Legacy of A. Philip Randolph & Bayard Rustin
44th Annual A. Philip Randolph Institute National Conference
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill,Ā 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
To register go toĀ www.apri.org
Wednesday, Aug. 28
Interfaith Service
9 toĀ 10:30 am
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Washington, DC
Invitation Required
āLet Freedom Ringā Commemoration & Closing Ceremony
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Bells will be ringing across the United States andĀ World at 3 pm EST)
The Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The Life and Legacy of Bayard Rustin:Ā Ā How an African American gay man became the lead organizer of the 1963 Civil Rights March of Washington
7 p.m. Reception to follow
HRC Equality Forum,Ā Ā 1640 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036Ā
Moderator: Earl D. Fowlkes, Jr., President & CEO, The Center for Black Equity
Panelist: The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, U.S. House of Representatives, District of Columbia, friend & colleague to Mr. Rustin during 1963 March on Washington (tentative)
Panelist: Mandy Carter, National Coordinator, Bayard Rustin Commemoration, National Black Justice Coalition. Damien Conners, National Executive Director/COO for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Inc (SCLC). MacArthur Flournoy, theologian, author, and preacher is the Director for Faith Partnership and Mobilization for the Human Rights Campaign.
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