Photos show thousands rallying in Washington for racial justice on the 57th anniversary of MLK's 'I Have a Dream' speech

Inyoung ChoiAug 30, 2020, 05:52 IST

(Left) MLK addresses crowds at his 'I Have a Dream' speech. (Right) MLK's 12-year-old granddaughter Yolanda Renee King gives a speech at the Commitment March on Washington 2020.Central Press/Getty Images, Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images

Large crowds gathered on Friday for the "Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" rally for racial justice in Washington, DC.
The march came on the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech.
Speakers included prominent Black leaders, activists, lawmakers, and people whose relatives have been injured or killed by police violence.

Large crowds of thousands of protesters rallied in Washington, DC, on Friday for the "Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" march against police brutality and racial injustice.

The event, organized by the National Action Network, came on the 57th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

"The objective is to put on one platform, in the shadow of Abe Lincoln, the families of people that ... have lost loved ones in unchecked racial bias," Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network and one of the key organizers of the event, told the Associated Press."On these steps, Dr. King talked about his dream, and the dream is unfulfilled. This is the Exhibit A of that not being fulfilled."

The event came amid civil unrest across the country after the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It also came on the heels of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis who died when an officer knelt on his neck, and several months after the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky.

The NAACP organized a 2020 Virtual March on Washington Thursday and Friday. Stacey Abrams, Nancy Pelosi, Cory Booker, and Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II were among those who spoke at the virtual event.

Here is a look into Friday's Commitment March: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks through photos.

Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network and one of the rally's key organizers said, "We did not just come today to have a show. Demonstration without legislation would not lead to change."

Rev. Al Sharpton speaks at the 2020 March on Washington. Daniel Knighton / Contributor / Getty Images

Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network and one of the rally's key organizers said, "We did not just come today to have a show. Demonstration without legislation would not lead to change."

Martin Luther King Jr.'s son also spoke to the crowd from the Lincoln Memorial. "We must become the heroes of the history we are making – and us means all of us," Martin Luther King III said.

Martin Luther King III (C) speaks alongside his daughter Yolanda Renee King (R) and Arndrea Waters King at the 2020 March on Washington. Daniel Knighton/Getty Images

Martin Luther King Jr.'s son also spoke to the crowd from the Lincoln Memorial. "We must become the heroes of the history we are making – and us means all of us," Martin Luther King III said.

Yolanda Renee King stood where her grandfather, MLK, stood over 50 years ago. She delivered a speech where she said, "The first phase was civil rights, and the new phase is genuine equality."

12-year-old Yolanda Renee King speaks to the "Get Your Knee Off Our Necks" Commitment March on Washington 2020. Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images

Yolanda Renee King stood where her grandfather, MLK, stood over 50 years ago. She delivered a speech where she said, "The first phase was civil rights, and the new phase is genuine equality."

"The state of our movement, it is strong," said Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a Massachusetts Democrat, adding that "another world is possible."

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) speaks at the 2020 March on Washington, officially known as the "Commitment March: Get Your Knee Off Our Necks." Daniel Knighton/Getty Images

A number of family members who have lost loved ones to police shootings spoke at the rally. The mother of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot in a Louisville police raid, said, "What we need is change. And we're at a point where we can get that change."

Tamika Palmer, the mother of Breonna Taylor, (C) speaks during the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

A number of family members who have lost loved ones to police shootings spoke at the rally. The mother of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot in a Louisville police raid, said, "What we need is change. And we're at a point where we can get that change."

George Floyd's sister, Bridgett Floyd, urged people to fight injustice for future generations, and not to become complacent. "My brother cannot be a voice today. We have to be that voice. We have to be the change, and we have to be his legacy. Thank you, from the Floyd family," she said.

Members of George Floyd's family speak during the Get Off Our Necks Commitment March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Friday, August 28, 2020. Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images

George Floyd's sister, Bridgett Floyd, urged people to fight injustice for future generations, and not to become complacent. "My brother cannot be a voice today. We have to be that voice. We have to be the change, and we have to be his legacy. Thank you, from the Floyd family," she said.

"Learn to love yourself, Black people. Unify," urged the sister of Jacob Blake, a Wisconsin man currently recovering in hospital after a Kenosha officer shot him in the back.

Letetra Widman, sister of Jacob Blake, speaks as thousands gather for the ''Get Your Knee Off Our Necks." John Lamparski/NurPhoto via Getty Images

"Learn to love yourself, Black people. Unify," urged the sister of Jacob Blake, a Wisconsin man currently recovering in hospital after a Kenosha officer shot him in the back.

Also in attendance was Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, who was fatally shot at the age of 17 after being confronted by an armed neighborhood watch volunteer. "Be strong, stand tall, be encouraged" and continue "peaceful protesting" and "stand together," Fulton said.

Trayvon Martin's mom, Sybrina Fulton (L) attends the 2020 March on Washington. Brian Stukes/Getty Images

Also in attendance was Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, who was fatally shot at the age of 17 after being confronted by an armed neighborhood watch volunteer. "Be strong, stand tall, be encouraged" and continue "peaceful protesting" and "stand together," Fulton said.

The mother of Ahmaud Arbery asked people to "say his name" and "please let their names live forever." Arbery was fatally shot in February after being pursued by armed white men attempting to make a citizen's arrest.

Wanda Cooper-Jones, mother of Ahmaud Arbery, right, walks from the Glynn County Courthouse with attorney Lee Merritt on July 17, 2020 in Brunswick, Georgia. Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William 'Roddie' Bryan appeared before a judge for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Sean Rayford/Getty Images

The mother of Ahmaud Arbery asked people to "say his name" and "please let their names live forever." Arbery was fatally shot in February after being pursued by armed white men attempting to make a citizen's arrest.

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Photos show thousands rallying in Washington for racial justice on the 57th anniversary of MLK's 'I Have a Dream' speech

Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network and one of the rally's key organizers said, "We did not just come today to have a show. Demonstration without legislation would not lead to change."

Martin Luther King Jr.'s son also spoke to the crowd from the Lincoln Memorial. "We must become the heroes of the history we are making – and us means all of us," Martin Luther King III said.

Yolanda Renee King stood where her grandfather, MLK, stood over 50 years ago. She delivered a speech where she said, "The first phase was civil rights, and the new phase is genuine equality."

"The state of our movement, it is strong," said Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a Massachusetts Democrat, adding that "another world is possible."

A number of family members who have lost loved ones to police shootings spoke at the rally. The mother of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot in a Louisville police raid, said, "What we need is change. And we're at a point where we can get that change."

George Floyd's sister, Bridgett Floyd, urged people to fight injustice for future generations, and not to become complacent. "My brother cannot be a voice today. We have to be that voice. We have to be the change, and we have to be his legacy. Thank you, from the Floyd family," she said.

"Learn to love yourself, Black people. Unify," urged the sister of Jacob Blake, a Wisconsin man currently recovering in hospital after a Kenosha officer shot him in the back.

Also in attendance was Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, who was fatally shot at the age of 17 after being confronted by an armed neighborhood watch volunteer. "Be strong, stand tall, be encouraged" and continue "peaceful protesting" and "stand together," Fulton said.

The mother of Ahmaud Arbery asked people to "say his name" and "please let their names live forever." Arbery was fatally shot in February after being pursued by armed white men attempting to make a citizen's arrest.