How Beacon’s celebration of the March on Washington built power for housing justice
It was on August 28, 1963, that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream Speech” in front of thousands during the iconic March on Washington. As a pivotal moment in civil rights and racial justice, Beacon’s collaborative knew it was important to acknowledge the 60th anniversary of the march. Together we gathered with leaders of other organizations in the State Capitol’s rotunda for a special celebration and program.
While we’ve come a long way in the past 60 years, we all know there’s work to be done. People of color face disproportionately high housing costs, entrenched segregation, concentrated poverty, and challenges accessing homeownership and building wealth. However, our collaborative is challenging that. As we came together to celebrate the March on Washington, we united our shared voices for justice.
Read more from Harrison Bullard, organizer of the event and Beacon’s Campaign and Congregational Organizer, as he reflects on the importance of marching, the impact of our celebration, and what we’ve learned:
Why We March, A Reflection by Harrison Bullard
I was born in April of 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama. Growing up, I would hear the stories of protests, marches, sit-ins, and the violence that Black people endured. I grew up in a time where standing up for what is right could get you hurt, or worse. However, today we have a few more laws in place, as well as the power of social media and our modern technology, to help protect us from the violence that can accompany the fight for justice.
So, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, August 28, 1963, we must remember why we march and the price many have paid in doing so.
As an organizer, and a student of civil rights and labor history, I know that marching is more than just a symbolic gesture and more than the action itself. Marching is such a powerful, non-violent tool. So much so that in July of 1917 when 10,000 Black Americans marched down 5th Avenue in New York City in a silent protest with just the beat of a drum, national attention was brought to the way Black people were being treated and discriminated against in New York City.
As for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, this protest influenced and pressured Congress to pass the Civil Rights Bill.
When we come together as a unified power in a place where laws are made, we uplift one another in solidarity and purpose. Marching is a powerful statement that resonates beyond measure.
Beyond the Celebration
We came together in the State Capitol rotunda to celebrate the March on Washington’s 60th anniversary. For us, this event went beyond reproducing an image of the original march. We sought out to give more voices the opportunity to be heard. But, somewhere along the way it became a little bit more than that.
As the speakers began to take the mic, a common bond became apparent as each presenter uplifted the next, holding up the charge of justice and housing. I have organized a number of events, and it’s always difficult for there to be a common bond that galvanizes the participants. But this was different. It was as though each person had spoke to one another. It felt like their speeches and messages all aligned.
Everyone can easily remember Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream Speech”. But, there was another speech that carried power which gets a little less recognition. It was a speech by John Lewis. A young man at the time, in his early 20s or so, John saw the world from a different viewpoint. He challenged the establishment to do more and say less.
Today we find ourselves in a similar situation as the need for housing continues to increase but is not always matched by the energy of those who sit in positions of power. We made significant progress this year in the MN legislature, and must keep on going!
As Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said at our Start with Home rally earlier this year, “To be homeless in Minnesota is an injustice, and it’s life threatening.”
As we rallied together in celebration of the March on Washington’s 60th Anniversary, we widened our circle and forged bonds which will be felt far beyond our celebration as we continue to fight for justice.
Rewriting History
We can never rewrite history, but we can make our own. The original March on Washington was such a phenomenon with the number of people who showed up, and it’s ability to carry it’s message out. But, there were still some things that needed to be addressed.
Could you imagine being the organizer of such a powerful historical event, but then not be allowed to speak or have your issues spoken to because you were openly gay and Black? That was the case for lead organizer Bayard Rustin, the lead organizer of the March on Washington.
Or could you imagine putting in all the hours of work, helping with the food preparations, marching, and sign making only to not have your voice heard because you were a woman?
Understanding that this was 60 years ago, I made a very conscious effort in the planning of our celebration to make sure that all were welcome to the table by ensuring women, more races, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people of different faith traditions were given the mic.
I hope that in 10 years from now, someone will look back on our celebration and correct some of the things we may have missed and give voice to even more individuals. It’s my hope that we move closer to the dream of Dr. King and closer to the vision that all people have a home.
What We Learned
We must remember and realize that there are some who are afraid of change and frightened of justice. There can be a cost we must be willing to pay if we are to do God’s will. We realize the power of coming together must continue for us to deliver on the promises of our many faith traditions and we must continue to believe we can make a difference.
If you were not with us at our celebration of the March on Washington, you missed the riveting speech given by Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs (pictured), the truth by Imam Matthew Ramadan, powerful speeches by AsaleSol 
Young and Johanna Osman, and the skilled moderation and hosting by Amanda Peterson (pictured).
What stood out most from this powerful event was coming together as a group of people from diverse backgrounds to unite under one umbrella fighting for housing and justice for all people, regardless of religion, color, or sexual orientation.
We will surely be planning more events like this, and I ask you to look out for the next one coming soon. Please remember that this group’s work is not done and if you know someone who would be interested in joining us to please invite them along. Contact me, Harrison Bullard – Congregational and Campaign Organizer, at HBullard@beaconinterfaith.org to learn how you can get involved in this work with us. Thank you!
