“March On Washington” New York Amsterdam News, (1963)
This New York Amsterdam News article written by Martin Luther King Jr details the plans for the March On Washington. Martin Luther King Jr attempts to persuade African Americans to join the March 4 days following the publishment of the article. King Jr also displays that African American’s who are afraid to be a part of nonviolent protests should realize the effect every single African American has when they participate. During the 1960s, Martin Luther King Jr was becoming the face of the Civil Rights Movement and leading most of the fights for justice. The March on Washington’s purpose was to fight for equal jobs and freedom. The march would bring 250,000 people to the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King Jr would deliver his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech. The March On Washington and all of its aspects would influence the enacting of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This act would prevent employment and workplace discrimination, which was another huge step for African American civil rights.
“A Proud Walk”, photo (1965)
This 1963 photo displays a group of civil rights activists being stopped by Alabama police. The police force is not letting the civil rights activists continue their march to Montgomery, Alabama. During 1965, Martin Luther King Jr and other Civil Rights Leaders had organized a march from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery, Alabama in protest of the unjust black voters face. Activists on this march would face brutality from local police and white vigilante groups attempting to disrupt their march. This march was heavily covered by the media, which help bring national attention to the unfair, dangerous obstacles black voters face. The march was another sign of the power of activists unity, with achieving their goal of marching to Montgomery. This success would help persuade more people to join the Civil Rights Movement. The march also provoked the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prevented all governments from using tactics to keep African Americans from voting. Gaining the ability to safely vote was another huge step in obtaining justice for African Americans