Milwaukee was represented on Oct. 2, 2010 among tens of thousands of progressive activists from across the country who converged at the Lincoln Memorial Saturday to take part in the “One Nation Working Together” March on Washington. Wendell J Harris, 1st vice president of the Milwaukee Branch NAACP and lead coordinator of the, Wisconsin One”, Nation delegation and sponsor of 15 young adults and children stated, “The NAACP recognizes the importance of giving young people the opportunity to experience how the process works to petition their government at this historic event. We are committed to grooming our future leaders.
WASHINGTON, DC – On Sat., Oct. 2 people from all 50 states traveled to the nation’s capital for the hugely successful One Nation Working Together rally. An estimated 175,000 citizens representing different races, faiths, ages and states gathered for speeches and performances by living legends and rising stars in the progressive movement, including NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous, Reverend Al Sharpton, Harry Belafonte, Actor Wendell Pierce, AFL – CIO President Richard Trumka and many more.
Legendary singer George Clinton closed out the march with a rousing performance of “One Nation Under A Groove.” The speakers shared stories of struggle and hope as well as ideas for the future, and called for high quality public education, justice, and an economy that produces jobs for all Americans.
NAACP was a lead organizer for the rally.
“I was amazed as I stood at the podium before 175,000 people on 10.2.10. I was overwhelmed to see the incredible swell of support for education, for jobs, and for justice,” stated Jealous. “I was also sobered, however, by the reality – that we still have a lot of work to do to bring that momentum from Washington to every state and every corner of the country on Election Day – 11.2.10. Jobs, justice and education are the common threads that tie us together, and I have no doubt that they will persevere come Election Day.”
Sharpton said that the midterm elections were like “midterms exams” for the nation, and encouraged the audience to earn a passing grade.
Thousands also attended a One Nation rally the same day in Los Angeles. Actor Danny Glover told the diverse crowd that they represented a movement to “continue to fight for the change we voted for in 2008.”
“We are here today to fight for good jobs for everyone, a secure home, justice for all people and quality education for our children,” said LaPhonza Butler in Los Angeles, the President of the SEIU Long- Term Care Workers. And after the event, participants did just that. They trained to canvass neighborhoods and then went out in the community to get out the vote.
“What makes us most American is our commitment to persevere in the face of great odds – not just secure our family’s future but that of our neighbors too,” said Jealous. “Because we know our national destiny is to move ever forward, never backwards.”