WASHINGTON, D.C.–US civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., waves to supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial 28 August, 1963, on The Mall in Washington, DC, during the ‘March on Washington’ where King delivered his famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, which is credited with mobilizing supporters of desegregation and prompted the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The US is celebrating in 2015 what would have been King’s 86th birthday. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. PHOTO AFP/Getty Images
Today we honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the chief spokesperson for the civil rights movement. He advocated non-violent protest as a means to make change.
His work was far from easy. But because of the work of King and hundreds of thousands of others, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 were enacted.
But, our struggles are not over. From equality and individual rights to economics and the environment, people still use non-violent demonstrations as a means to bring light to their causes.
What’s important to you? What would you march for? Why is this issue important to you? Let us know in the comments or take it to Twitter–mention @brfhsnews in your tweet to be included in the followup.
Joe • Jan 20, 2015 at 12:45 pm
I would march against animal cruelty and animals getting put to sleep if no one adopts them.
Boston • Jan 20, 2015 at 8:10 am
would march for gun right!
Sabreya • Jan 19, 2015 at 1:41 pm
I would march for ending world hunger.
Brett • Jan 19, 2015 at 1:16 pm
I would march to call upon the people of the world and find a more Eco-Friendly fuel and more technological possibilities
Devon • Jan 19, 2015 at 12:45 pm
i would march for equality of whites because if a white kid got shot in Ferguson no one would care
Hana • Jan 19, 2015 at 11:20 am
I would march for the Environment.
Ms. Christenson • Jan 19, 2015 at 9:24 am
I’ve marched for union rights and spread the word to end the word (stop the use of the r word). Today I would march for any issue that allows a person the right to choose.
Stephanie • Jan 19, 2015 at 9:04 am
I would march for World Peace <3
Brittany • Jan 19, 2015 at 8:13 am
I would march for injustice of any type.
Ryan • Jan 19, 2015 at 8:02 am
I would march for environmental and sports issues.
Kiley • Jan 19, 2015 at 7:59 am
i will be marching for bulling
Jack Chrest • Jan 19, 2015 at 7:58 am
I would march to reduce censorship in the media.
Alisha • Jan 19, 2015 at 7:57 am
I would march for any kind of injustice, but especially women’s rights.
Aley • Jan 19, 2015 at 7:54 am
I would march for net neutrality.
Julie Tiedens • Jan 19, 2015 at 5:39 am
I’ve marched for union rights–it was an experience I’ll never forget, one that reminded me of how important it is to stay engaged and speak out. Today, I would march for several issues, including marriage equality, the environment and women’s rights.
Mr. Chambers • Jan 18, 2015 at 9:22 pm
In the 1980s I marched to bring awareness to environmental issues and to support freedoms for people living under communist regimes.
It is so critical to never forget how important our rights to free expression are and that we must defend these rights for everyone.
Paul Rykken • Jan 18, 2015 at 8:40 am
I would march for people who are facing injustice of any kind. In the 1970s I marched for people facing the oppression of South African apartheid. More recently I have marched for union rights. We are fortunate to live in a nation where freedom of expression is allowed!