Stamford Marches For Equality In Honor Of March On Washington Anniversary

On Tuesday, a day prior to the 50th anniversary of the march on Washington, D.C., where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his historic "I Have a Dream," address, members of Stamford's NAACP, SEIU 32BJ union and Connecticut Immigration Rights Alliance gathered to march in commemoration of the occasion.

The Rally for Freedom, Jobs and Immigration took roughly 75 supporters from the Stamford Government Center at 888 Washington Boulevard to Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church at 29 Grove Street.

"The organizers of the march in 1963 happened to be a major part of the unions," said NAACP Stamford Chapter President Jack Bryant. "They were very involved. So it gives me pleasure, partnering the NAACP with the unions in putting this on, marching and continuing the conversation started again a couple of days ago in D.C. where thousands and thousands of people gathered for justice."
The event took a focus on reclaiming "Doctor King's dream for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country," according to representatives from the SEIU 32BJ, the "largest property services union in the country."

In attendance for the event were a number of political heavy hitters including Congressman Jim Himes, and Stamford mayoral candidates Representative William Tong and David Martin.

"I think were all here motivated by the spirit of Dr. King's speech, which is a spirit of inclusiveness," said Himes. "It means people have access to health care, they have access to education, they have access to the ballot box. Being here with 32BJ is particularly poignant in respect to immigration reform. 32BJ stands up for a much more decent system of immigration, something that will benefit the whole country."

The continued pursuit of Dr. King's dream was a common threat throughout the day for those who took part in the rally.

"50 years ago, my parents had me sit down when I was only 10 years old... and watch the evening news when the march was taking place," Martin said. "They told me, 'This is a very, very important event. It's going to change the future of America.' And, by gosh, 50 years later, we have changed the face of America. But we've got a long way to go and I'm afraid were going to need some more years. Nonetheless, I believe in what was done then, I believe in it now and I believe we should keep marching in that direction."

Tong said the day is a reminder to continue the pursuit of equality and fairness for all.

"I think it's a reminder to all of us how much work we have to do," Tong said. "This morning, I was with a woman who lost her grandson to gun violence here in Stamford. We're fighting for justice in all our communities. That's the pursuit of Dr. King's dream: making sure everyone has access to a safe and productive quality to life."