Richmond Leader

Washington, D.C. – On August 28, 2023, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington:

“On August 28th, 1963, 250,000 Americans participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The march took place 100 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, abolishing slavery, and the ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to provide formerly enslaved Americans with equal civil and legal rights. Despite those strides, African Americans in 1963 still faced immense social, political, and economic challenges, propagated by racially exploitative policies and long-standing systems of oppression.

“Over the weekend, thousands of Americans gathered in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. laid out his Dream for America. However, this weekend’s march was not simply a celebration of the progress we have made, but an acknowledgement of the work we must still accomplish.

“In 2023, African Americans and other historically marginalized communities continue to face immense challenges, including a lack of access to comprehensive, culturally-competent health care, which results in alarming health disparities; widespread efforts to disenfranchise voters and limit access to the ballot box; and a rise in physical violence spurred by social and racial prejudice. As a proud member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first Black woman to represent Virginia in Congress, I will continue my efforts to ensure equal social, political, and economic opportunity for every American. We must continue striving towards a more perfect Union and to make Dr. King’s Dream a reality for every American.”

Original source can be found here.