“Martin Luther King, Jr. and others pushed for and ultimately were successful in getting civil rights and voting rights legislation through – that was really kind of a big, gigantic step for the country,” said Dr. Clarence Lusane, Howard University professor.
Lusane said the 1963 March on Washington was a major turning point for the country.
Martin Luther King III and his wife are organizing the march along with Rev. Al Sharpton who now runs the National Action Network. They’ve teamed up with more than 100 partners from civil rights organizations to groups representing minorities, women, clergy and the LGBTQ plus community.
This year’s theme “not a commemoration, a continuation.” Leading up to this weekend, King’s son said despite major progress over the last six decades, there’s still work to do. He said, “We need to rededicate ourselves to the mission my dad gave his life for.”
Lusane says many of the issues that Dr. King addressed in the 1960s continue today, as well as new challenges.
“What worries me today is not only the racial disparities and how those have a direct impact, but the attack on democracy,” said Lusane. “One of the really heralding times is that we’re seeing a pushback on the gains that have been made over the decades in voting right, in access to education.”
It’s a call to action that some say they’re ready for.
“We still have a long way to go to keep those rights that we have right now to continue to fight for the generation that has yet to come,” said CeeJay Joseph, Houston resident.
On Monday, August 28, President Biden and Vice President Harris will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. A White House official said they will meet with organizers of the march, community leaders and members of the King family during the afternoon.
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March on Washington A man fans himself with his hat inside the Lincoln Memorial as demonstrators gather for the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool via AP) (JONATHAN ERNST/AP)
March on Washington The daughter of Marqueese Alston, who was shot and killed by Washington's Metropolitan Police on June 12, 2018, looks on as demonstrators gather at the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool via AP) (JONATHAN ERNST/AP)
March on Washington Activist Dominque Alexander of Dallas, speaks demonstrators gather at the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. (Michael M. Santiago/Pool via AP) (Michael M Santiago/GettyImages/AP)
March on Washington Walter Carter, 74, of Gainesville, Fla., attends the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington The scene is set for the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington Shontina Kuykendoll of Dallas, attends the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington Laurie Bey, whose son Cameron Lamb was shot and killed by Kansas City police in 2019, stands with Merlon Ragland, Cameron's aunt, as demonstrators gather at the Lincoln Memorial as final preparations are made for the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool via AP) (JONATHAN ERNST/AP)
March on Washington With the U.S. Capitol building in the background, demonstrators gather at the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. (Michael M. Santiago/Pool via AP) (Michael M Santiago/GettyImages/AP)
March on Washington Demonstrators gather near the Lincoln Memorial as final preparations are made for the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. (Olivier Douliery/Pool via AP) (Olivier DOULIERY/AP)
March on Washington Demonstrators gather near the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. (Michael M. Santiago/Pool via AP) (Michael M Santiago/GettyImages/AP)
March on Washington Megan Dogans of Denver, arrives to attend the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Alex Brandon/AP)
March on Washington Demonstrators gather at the Lincoln Memorial as final preparations are made for the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. (Olivier Douliery/Pool via AP) (Olivier DOULIERY/AP)
March on Washington Doug Pagitt, executive director with Vote Common, Good -- Walk the Walk - Faith Pilgrimage, speaks at the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington Rev. Tori Butler speaks during the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington Christin Bentley of Alexandria, VA., participates in the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)
March on Washington People attend the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Alex Brandon/AP)
March on Washington Bishop Talbert Swan, III speaks at the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington Priscilla Duerrero from Boston, currently living in Washington, D.C., attends the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)
March on Washington A band from New York and Philadelphia area plays as they march at Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House in Washington, to join other marchers during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, commemorating the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)
March on Washington People attend the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)
March on Washington People arrive for the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. Behind is the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)
March on Washington The Rev. Al Sharpton looks on during the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool via AP) (JONATHAN ERNST/AP)
March on Washington People gather at Lincoln Memorial to attend the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
March on Washington Regina performs the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" as she appears with singer and songwriter George Clinton as demonstrators gather at the Lincoln Memorial for the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool via AP) (JONATHAN ERNST/AP)
March on Washington The Rev. Al Sharpton arrives to speak during the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool via AP) (JONATHAN ERNST/AP)
March on Washington Organizers for the March on New York City speak during the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. (Michael M. Santiago/Pool via AP) (Michael M Santiago/GettyImages/AP)
March on Washington A mother and her children hold their placards as they walk to visit the Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House in Washington, and join other marchers during the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, commemorating the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)
March on Washington Yolanda Renee King, granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr., speaks at the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. At left is her father Martin Luther King, III. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington People participate in the March on Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez/AP)
March on Washington People in the crowd rise to support a speaker during the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, speaks at the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington Martin Luther King, III speaks at the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. At right is Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington People attend the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh/AP)
March on Washington Rev. Tori Butler speaks during the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington Marvin Alonzo Greer and Cheyney Mcnight gather at Lincoln Memorial to attend the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
March on Washington People attend the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh/AP)
March on Washington DeJuana Thompson speaks at the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington People gather at Lincoln Memorial to attend the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
March on Washington People attend the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Alex Brandon/AP)
March on Washington Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, speaks at the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, Pool) (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
March on Washington People attend the March on Washington, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech in Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh/AP)
March on Washington Men from Milwaukee wear "We're WI Men" T-shirts as they attend the March on Washington near the Lincoln Memorial, Friday Aug. 28, 2020, in Washington, on the 57th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Carolyn Kaster/AP)
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