40 yrs later: MLK’s march in Boston and Selma retraced

Serghino René

On Sunday, October 30, the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities will sponsor a march called, “Retracing the Struggle: The Legacy of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.”

The march will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, as well as the three-mile march led by Dr. Martin Luther King in 1965, from Roxbury to Boston Common, to rally against Boston’s segregated schools.

“This is not only about voting or having an opportunity for African Americans to generate social change,” says Ron Bell, Project Director for the event and founder of the youth program Dunk the Vote, “but it also provides an opportunity for African Americans and others to gain political clout by taking part in the process.”

Five thousand people are expected to participate in the march as Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.) will lead the participants along the 2.5 mile route to Boston Common.

Once there, he will give a speech on his struggle and experiences in the movement for civil rights. Lewis became a national civil rights figure for his prominent, non-violent role in the march to Selma when police beat him mercilessly in public.

Other speakers include Rev. Dr. Virgil Woods, who organized the original march to Boston Common in 1965; Senator John Kerry; Taylor Branch, historian and author; Deval Patrick, former United States deputy attorney general for the civil rights division; and gubernatorial candidate Mayor Menino; as well as other community leaders and elected officials.

Although it is important to remember the struggle, Bell said it is also important to keep in mind the city’s youth.

Their input and participation is valuable. Just-us Youth is one of the groups that will make themselves heard by performing a song entitled “Listen,” which is about listening to the voices of young people.

“We want to engage young people as well as others from different walks of life to take part in an ongoing struggle that will help everyone,” says Bell.

The event is also symbolic in that it will reflect the New Boston, now a majority minority city.

“It’s almost critical that this event happens here and we hope that the march will be reflective of the new Boston,” Bell says. “This is a historical and timely event in the community. People have an opportunity to be a part of history and change the political climate of Boston.”

The event will take place rain or shine. People will meet at the First Church on 10 Putnam Street in Roxbury around 1pm and start marching at 2pm. Participants are expected to arrive at Boston Common at 3:30.

For more information about the event, contact John Sieracki at (413) 584-8440 or e-mail him at jsieracki@mfg.org. You can also visit the website, www.mfh.org.