Two upcoming events are planned to recognize the pivotal 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, when 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C. to demand an end to segregation, and for fair wages and economic justice, voting rights, education, and long overdue civil rights protections.
1- On Saturday, August 26, dozens of organizations, including Pax Christi USA, will participate in the 2023 March on Washington, which has been declared “not a commemoration, but a continuation.”
The program will start at 8 AM at the Lincoln Memorial; the March will begin at 1 PM. Learn more about the March and register to attend using this link. An interfaith meet-up will be held at 11 AM at the DC War Memorial for prayer and pizza. If you want to join the meet-up, please use this link to respond. Bring your favorite signs, a water bottle, and a spirit of fellowship.
>>Please let Pax Christi USA know if you plan to join us for this event: Use this link to send an email to Lauren Bailey, our national field organizer.
2 – On Monday, August 28, the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University will hold a special event on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington.
This in-person and online dialogue, starting at 6 PM Eastern, will examine what more needs to be done to advance freedom, equality, and justice for all. How are we keeping Dr. King’s dream alive? And where are we falling short? What are the responsibilities of Catholics and other people of faith to make this dream a reality?
An outstanding group of leaders will bring vital perspectives, experience, and commitment to this conversation:
- Sr. Anita Baird, founding director of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Racial Justice, past president of the National Black Sisters’ Conference, and U.S. Provincial for the Religious Congregation of the Society of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary
- Marc Morial, president and CEO of National Urban League, former mayor of New Orleans
- Andrew Prevot, Amaturo Chair in Catholic Studies and professor of theology at Georgetown University
- Lauren Reliford, political director, Sojourners
- John Carr, moderator
Use this link to learn more about this event at the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life.
In younger days I would have a lot to say 1) Cf MLK “dream” then and in that last night in Memphis 1968—theologians and spiritual leaders pay attention; 2) the politics of the ’63 march and the role of organization and its absence—-HUGE; 3) Catholics as in Pax Christi to truly think about Pope F link of King and Lincoln with Merton and Dorothy——if they are in our cloud of witnesses–with soon to be DD—-what does that mean for us? I would answer need to think again about civil religion and about Americanism, MLK actually matters! Dave O’Brien