WASHINGTON
"Because they marched, city councils changed and state legislators changed and Congress changed, and yes, eventually the White House changed, because they marched, America became more free and fair," US President Barack Obama said Wednesday in his speech marking the 50th anniversary of famous “I have a dream” speech of Martin Luther King.
Obama addressed thousands of people in front of Lincoln Memorial – the very spot that King gave his historic speech in 1963.
Obama underlined that they still have many things to achieve, saying “It was whether this country would admit all people who were willing to work hard, regardless of race, into the ranks of a middle-class life…To win that battle, to answer that call - this remains our great unfinished business."
Some former presidents – all Democrats – also joined Obama on stage to praise King’s speech.
A large crowd gathered to keep fighting for justice and equal rights in Washington after fifty years of the day when Martin Luther King delivered his spellbinding "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Many people like African Americans and Muslims shared the spotlight with fights for clean water and air, a living wage, civil rights for gays and lesbians, and an end to homelessness and stop-and-frisk policing policies.
In the speeches before the march, the crowd remarked the financial difficulties.
Thomas Wright, attending the march in 1963 with King, said "Since then, a lot has been improved but it is still limited."
Mary Anne Banta, having walked with King, said "I was here 50 years ago. We have not attained our goals yet, there have been changes but they are not enough."
The 1963 March had focused on "the triple evils of racism, war and poverty."
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