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Racist Rally Draws Thousands While "Reclaim the Dream" Sends Lukewarm Counter-Message

IMC-US, 02.09.2010

On Saturday, August 28, two competing marches were held to interpret the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream Speech," delivered on August 28, 1963 during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Here is a roundup of coverage from DC-IMC.

Pictured: Marcher wearing "Original Project 9-12" T-shirt

Text, Audio & Video of "I Have a Dream" Speech | Wikipedia Article on Speech's Significance | Music Video by Common



Saturday's "Restoring Honor" rally was organized by radio and Fox TV personality Glenn Beck who has called President Obama a "racist" who has "a deep-seated hatred for white people." [...] If ever there was an indictment of America's "mainstream media," this is it. While there will always be some racists, the massive turnout on Saturday indicates that a significant part of this country - consisting of those consuming Fox TV, Clear Channel Radio and their allies - is having their anger directed in racist ways. It is this misuse of America's public airwaves that has turned Beck's fringe ideology into an American movement. [America's Racist Rally]

Simultaneously a challenge March was taking place at Dunbar High School titled “Reclaim the Dream.” This march was led by Reverend Al Sharpton, civil rights leader and was called by The National Action Network.The march did not have radical speakers or left leaning or calls for actions but rather it was more of a loud sermon since many of the speakers were reverends with their Jesus loves you speeches and God Bless America. [Reclaim the Dream March could have been better] While many claim to reclaim Dr. King they seem to be doing so along the same mistaken lines of a single speech from 1963. Seemingly gone are the critiques King offered of capitalism, white supremacy and militarism. [Commemorating King? Reclaiming what?]

The [Reclaim the Dream] march finally met up with stragglers leaving the Beck rally. When the 2 groups met, white people stared, sometimes glared, especially in response to "No Justice, No Peace". Black people looked straight ahead and marched. [Civil Rights or Civil War?]

More Coverage: Censorship at Glenn Beck Rally Video | F**G thousands attend reactionary rally in da capital | Photos from the White People's Rally| Reclaim the Dream March | Teabagger gets punched for trying to smash camera | Marshals remove teabaggers from Reclaim the Dream | Download HD Video of march on 6th st



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