Today marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington. Many Mississippians are in attendance for the festivities, and Hattiesburg's own mayor, Johnny DuPree, will be joining President Obama and others as they mark the historic occasion.
From the press release:
Hattiesburg-City of Hattiesburg Mayor, Johnny DuPree, has been invited to take center stage with President Barack Obama and former U.S. presidents on Wednesday, August 28 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s March on Washington. From the steps of the Lincoln Monument, DuPree will share insight on how people across the world can co-exist peacefully, participate in government, and prosper financially and spiritually-things he said that he aspires to do every day.
“It was an honor to be asked to represent our city during the Let Freedom Ring celebration to honor one of our nation’s most pivotal moments in the fight for African Americans to gain freedom, justice, equality and the right to vote,” DuPree said. “Because of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s sacrifices, a little boy from Hattiesburg, Miss., grew up to become the first African American mayor in his city, the first African American Democratic Nominee for Governor of his state, and invitations to help create policies and opportunities to sustain cities across the country and the world. I would have never imagined my plight, and I am forever grateful to God and Dr. King’s vision,” he said.
Mayor DuPree's speech can be found here.
MPB had a nice feature on a few Mississippians who attended the first March on Washington in 1963 that can be read here. The Clarion Ledger has has coverage of Myrlie Evers-Williams speech here.
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