Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., second from right, marched with UAW President Walter P. Reuther, left, and other civil rights leaders in Detroit in June 1963. He previewed his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech before delivering it in Washington two months later. Photo courtesy of the Walter P. Reuther Labor Archives at Wayne State University.
Examples of leveraging hate and fear for political agendas are everywhere. Protest against mosque are breaking out around the nation, the angry pushback of the U.S. District Court Judge’s ruling to protect access to marriage for committed couples in California, anti immigrant sentiment around the country, the Shirley Sherrod incident, constant veiled threats of violence by rightwing leaders, threats to change the 14th Amendment and on and on. All this with the backdrop of nine long years filled with hate to fuel U.S. global wars for domination. Sensing an opportunity to make a profound statement, Glenn Beck with Sarah Palin and others who spin fear are staging a rally dubbed Restoring Honor to send a twisted version of King's message in the same location of the original march. This is an attempt to stir up more hate and fear camouflaged in patriotism. This anniversary cannot pass without giving strong voice to peace, justice and reminding our nation of our common humanity.
To honor the anniversary and the legacy of Dr. King, two events have been called; one in Detroit the other in Washington DC.
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the United Auto Workers (UAW) have invited peace organizations to endorse and participate in a campaign for Jobs, Justice, and Peace to begin with a march in Detroit.
The National Action Network has invited peace organizations to endorse and participate in the Reclaim The Dream rally in Washington DC to ensure in the face the Glenn Beck led conservative/Tea Party rally at the Lincoln Memorial, King’s legacy of peace and justice is not distorted.
The Aug 28th actions are not competing events. They are complimentary as it is critical to show up in DC to counter Glenn Beck and Tea Party conservatives who are trying to hijack the historical significance of the day for their political ends. However, it is more important to remember the occasion by highlighting today's reality of unemployment, economic and social disparities, racism, ongoing wars and other ills people across our nation face. Many cities across the nation have been hard hit by our failing economy. But other than possibly New Orleans who was hit by a natural disaster and is in awful distress, Detroit was been hit by a long running economic disaster and best symbolizes the dire situation facing cities due to lack of investment in a new and sustainable economy.
We have a long road to travel before we reach the promise land of peace and justice for all. The anti-war and peace movements must be engaged with people around the country in efforts to amplify our message and turn back reactionary forces who want to divide and build prosperity for a few on the backs of the many. I can think of no better way to honor King and all the people who participated in the remarkable 1963 March than to gather in DC or Detroit. These actions will be tremendous springboards to the October 2nd mass mobilization for jobs and a peaceful future. We can’t build a mass movement with rhetoric. We must engage with our domestic allies in their struggles to join with ours to end these wars and build a brighter future of peace and justice, together.
