And there is not a lot of public or Public Policy leadership around this issue. I think king would feel proud there were victories in the Civil Rights Movement, many of which happened after he passed. And there are people fighting to make sure those victories remain, even when there are massive efforts to overturn those victories. Host coverage of the 50th anniversary of the march on washington takes place on cspan and will also take place on wednesday with special coverage on this program as well as the president giving a speech. The president s impact on civil rights to date . Guest that is interesting. My students try to draw a link between Martin Luther king and president obama. Senses a link in the theyre both africanamerican leaders and have had massive followings. They are seen as their opinions having an impact. But they exist in very different times. President obama exists in a time when there. Demographicndous changes going on. The role of the u. S. In the world is in a different place. He is president. He is not a civil rights leader. He is the president of the entire country. His constituency is essentially everybody. Kings constituency was those committed to civil rights in the issues he worked on. Those are important differences. Ability ofs, the president obama to be elected twice is a result of the sacrifices and struggles people carried on in the history of the country, not just in the Civil Rights Movement, but the never forng fight for inclusion democratic participation. Host Clarence Lusane from American University talking about the march on washington and civil rights and 1964. Todays coverage of the events in washington takes place on c span. The speaker for this segment, the director of Foreign Policy friends committee, a national legislation, and dr. Michael chang. The day after Martin Luther king died, Robert Kennedy spoke on violence. Here is what he said, what has violence accomplished and created . We tolerate a rising level of violence that ignores our common humanity. We glorify killing on movie screens and call it entertainment. We make it easy for men to acquire at weapons. We honor the wielders of force. We excuse those willing to build their lives on the shattered dreams of other. There is another violence just as deadly. This is the violence of inaction. President kennedy was equally on unequivocal. We need the kind of piece that makes life worth living. To many of us think it is impossible, but that is a dangerous belief, said the president. Dr. King called america the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today. He was right. And still is today. When profit motive and Property Rights are considered more important than people, he said, militarism is incapable of being conquered. A true revolution of values will look and easily on the glaring contrast to party and well. Thise revelation will say way of settling differences is not just. American can lead the way in the revolution of values. No document can make these humans any less of our brothers. The true meaning of compassion and nonparlance is when it helps us to see the enemies point of view. There is nothing to prevent us from re ordering our priorities. The pursuit of peace will take precedence over the pursuit of war. Let us practice what they ladies and gentlemen, the president of the national but Justice Coalition of the National BlackJustice Coalition. One of my mentors told me in order to truly be free, you must give to causes greater than yourself. Every day, and educate, allocate, and celebrate the lotributions of the lesbian, gay, trans jester committee. If any of my brothers and sisters are not free, none of us are free. Today i looked up the contributions of a black gay man, and some leaders of the civilrights movement. He lives of the intersection of these identities fighting for the freedoms of all people. He was a radical and visionary, a black gay activists for freedom and justice during a time when the existence of both identities were perilous. He owed his power. He fiercely challenged the those quo and fought for marginalized while refusing to be defined by any single aspect of his identity. He was as unapologetically block as he was gay and by his very presence he challenged the evils of homophobia and racism throughout his life. [indiscernible] [crowd murmurs] our next speaker, the president of habitat for humanity. Does the lord require of and tot to act justly love mercy and to walk humbly with your god. Stir myrds from michah heart just as much today as they did when i first heard them from my grandmother. My outspoken grandmother was a congresswoman from new jersey who came to politics through the Civil Rights Movement and marched with leon sullivan. The Old Testament instructions as marching orders to fight against injustice and for equality. At habitat for humanity, our vision is similar to that of dr. King. We bring down barriers as we build up the walls. We bring people together in an effort to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Helped976, habitat has more than 3 Million People realize their dreams for a Better Future because no one should live in poverty housing. We will not let our hammers or our voices rest until the world believes in safe, decent, Affordable Housing matters. The reality is if children do not live in decent homes, the odds of their stay and help implement if they do not stay healthy, they will not do well in school. Without an education, they cannot get jobs. There will not be able to provide for their families or break the stranglehold of poverty. We cannot buy that. Abide that. The next speaker is the deputy u. S. Program director for human rights watch. Good morning. I did not grow up in the United States. One of the things that impressed me the most about this country was a simple fact that all around me in newspapers, college classrooms, on tv, and radio, there was an active dialogue, sometimes frustrating, but an active one, about our rights. In law school, we spent weeks talking about the 14th amendment to the constitution and the guaranteed equal protection. People talk about race, gender, Sexual Orientation. Even more exciting, people seemed in power. The new facebook, they could change things. They knew that if they spoke up, they could change things. As a latino woman, i knew the opportunities open to meet where because of those who demanded a more just society. It is wonderful to be with you and honor those who marched 50 years ago in the name of equal rights for all. In my work, i see the u. S. Still has a long way to go. The u. S. Has the largest reported prison population in the world. People of color are far more likely to be arrested or imprisoned. Too many migrants live in fear of being torn away from their families. That makes them easy prey for those that would abuse the rights. Poverty has increased in recent decades. Far too many of the poorest are women and people of color. The list goes on. We also have reasons for hope. Policy makers are starting to our next speaker, a young lady who has kept the faith, has filled with Voter Suppression has dealt with Voter Suppression throughout this nation, the president and executive director of the National Committee for civil rights. Good morning, everyone. There here today because is a great spirit sweeping this plan demanding justice for all americans, a spirit that knows no boundaries based on race, color, or who you love. A spirit that demands every human being be dignified. A spirit that says there is a right to be just in every aspect of our life. A spirit that says we must have the right to vote, that nothing is more important than that everyone has the right to vote. As. The demands a spirit the demands the end to Voter Suppression in north carolina, texas, alabama, florida, georgia, ohio. We must allow the people to vote. , if he remembered nothing else remember, if you remember nothing else he serves with his father in ministry and his biological father. He is the rev. Joseph williams, pastor of the salem by level church of atlanta, georgia. E churche salem bibl of atlanta, georgia. Why are you here . To commemorate or participate . Commemorate means i am celebrating something that has already occurred. To participate means i am and actively involved in right now. Are you here because you want to be seen . Do you desire to be a part of change . Are you here to point fingers and blame or hold hands with your brother or your sister . 50 years ago, the works of our forefathers and mothers allowed us to see the realization of the first black president. Our country still has a race issue all of us need to be a part of. Why are you here . The change is not a black or white thing. It is not a yellow, gay, or st. Thing. It is an american thing. For us to eliminate racism, we must obliterate the concept of race to understand there is only one race. Thatthe human race prepar is the human race. God bless. Speaker is the president of george mason , dr. Angel cabrera. Thousands of young men and women are denied a College Education every year. They are shut out of the American Dream, not because they are not smart enough, not because they are not talented enough. Not because they are ready to work hard enough. But because their parents may not be rich enough. Because they may not be american enough. Because they may not be documented the enough. Anywheresaid injustice is a threat to justice everywhere. He said the time is always right to do what is right and i say the time to break down the barriers of access to education is now. I say i would not be here if not for education. Most of us would not be here if not for education. The American Dream is not a destination. It is a struggle. It is a struggle that takes the work of all of us. Let us struggle together. Let us dream together. [speaking spanish] gracias, god bless. , thew are next speaker economist and director of Columbia University earth institute. Moralthe arc of the universe been stored justice, it is because righteous souls in each generation pull at each end. 50 years ago at this spot, king spoke to brave men and women who fulfill their role in shaping the moral universe. They did their job bravely and well. We honor them today. The great task of moral construction is never finished. There is no final victory on earth. Only an inheritance of justice each generation must renew and passed to the next. Crisiss a year of moral and renewal. It was a year to rescue americas soul and move the world as john f. Kennedy did with the nuclear treaty. It was the year of martyrdom of that young president who told us that when one man is a slave, are not free. Another year of moral crisis. America is mired in a income inequality and poverty. American slaves multitudes of black and hispanic young men to feed theees to greed of its privatized penitentiarys. Missilesince drone that kill innocent weddinggoers in a misguided war on islam. It is our turn to bend the arc of the moral universe. We must manage the money lenders, not from the temple but from congress and the white house. Intost beat swords plowshares joining with israelis and palestinians to offer are the profits of peace. Assault on hour nature and harvest the sun and the wind instead. In our age of greed and glitter, the world of justice seems to be stilled. Do not be deceived. The ancient cry still moves us today. Justice, justice shall you pursue so you can live in the promised land. Our next speaker is the usa. Dent of youth build good morning. I am happy we are back calling with one voice for the creation of the beloved community that reverend king named as our goal. Many of us have spent 50 years marching quietly toward that dream. I want to first of all the millions of Unsung Heroes of the grassroots to have given their lives and heart to help other people. Let me name just one, leroy , my mentor, a great man who passed away in 2011 having done great good. But his complete during was unfulfilled. Reverend kings core message was about the power of love. That we would hammer out love between our brothers and sisters all over this land. We have been hammering out that love. My colleagues have hammered out hundreds of safe oases for young hands building Affordable Housing for their neighbors while they complete their own High School Education and take leadership in their communities. They are now the ones hammering out love between their brothers and sisters. Their parents are proud. There younkers said links arer younger siblings awed and their children are thriving. They are the lucky few. Millions are being locked out of society or locked up. Many expect to be dead or in jail by the time theyre 25. This is a national sin and shame. 24yearolds out of school and out of work. They have talent, heart, soul, intelligence, and james dreams. Our nation needs them. Imagine hundreds of thousands of them she must have been a baby when she started with pepsico. Please welcome a Senior Vice President of Global Diversity and inclusion officer. Good morning. It is a privilege to join with you to celebrate his great milestone in american history. Thank you, rev. Al sharpton for your long commitment to improving opportunities for all disenfranchised people. Were proud to partner with you. Our appreciation goes out to everyone who plays a role in fulfilling the mission of the National Action network. Martin luther king, iii, thank you for caring the torch lit by to help. Nts the world of economic and social injustice. I am proud to be among the Pepsico Associates who are here to reinforce the values of equality and fairness. I cannot introduce all of my colleagues. I would like to take a moment to recognize one. Let me tell you about wesley dickerson. He was 7 years old when he watched dr. Martin luther king delivered his i have a dream speech from on top of his fathers shoulders. He remembers his father telling him and his sister that the march mattered because it was about equality for all. 50 years later, he is here with us today and has been instrumental in making sure the logistics Work Together for todays march. The principles of human dignity, civil equality, and Economic Empowerment for all our core values of pepsico. Almost 75 years ago, we were the first Major Company to integrate management and the first to elevate an African American to vicepresident. One year before the 1963 march on washington. Were dedicated to the ideals of this march and what it represents. I am proud to stand on behalf of all Pepsico Associates here today and on the shoulders of those who made it possible for me to stand before you. I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity. Thank you. Our next speaker is the. Randson of Mahatma Gandhi biographer, research prof. At the center for south asian and middle eastern studies, univ. Of dr. Gandhi. D grandfather never visited the United States, but his heart was fully involved in the struggle in this country. Meetingary, 1936, after four africanamericans in western india, this is what he said. True, it may be through the African Americans that the adult trade of message of nonviolence will be delivered to the world. In 1967, four years after the 1963 march, dr. King said this in new york city. Develop anon must overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole. Dr. King added a warning against what he called the apathy of thought. T fought we underlined americas enormous needs, dr. Kings phrase of overriding loyalty to humankind also demands our attention. Conformist thought stops us from time to assess. We must ask if we want democracy dependable friends elsewhere. , a socialt speaker activist, civil rights leader,. Hairman emeritus of the naacp i thought he forgot to give him his name. I met this man when i was just a sophomore in college. Longs and gentlemen, before there was a barack obama, there was a julian bond nominated for Vice President of the United States. He was a citizen of the u. S. A. And a proud citizen of georgia. Ladies and gentlemen, julian bond. [applause] thank you. I am delighted to be here just as i was delighted to be here 50 years ago. Then we could not have imagined we would be here 50 years later with a black president and black attorney general. But that is a measure of how far we have come. Still we march. We marched because trayvon in the pantheon of young black murders. We march because the Supreme Court has a eviscerated the Voting Rights act for which we fought and died. We march because every Economic Indicator shows the king of whitebut disparities. We marched fro for freedom frome supremacy. None of it was easy. We have never wished our way to freedom. We have worked our way. We have much more to work with today. We take heart that so much has changed. The changes have everything to do with the work of the modern movement for civil rights. We must not forget dr. King stood before and with thousands, the people who made the Mighty Movement what it was. These ordinary men and women labored in obscurity. Forward, theyy provided the soldiers of the fre