A. Philip Randolph Institute–Milwaukee Chapter is hosting March on Washington on August 28
The world knows the icon Martin Luther King Jr. from his non-violent approach to his “I Have a Dream” speech that he gave during the March on Washington, but not many people know the man behind the march, Asa Philip Randolph. Randolph was one of the main organizers for the march, which brought over 200,000 people together to fight for better rights for Black people. The march was held on August 28, 1963, and 58 years later the fight is still going.
To keep up the fight, A. Philip Randolph Institute–Milwaukee Chapter (APRI-MKE) will host a commemoration of the March on Washington in the city of Milwaukee on August 28, 2021. The march will start between Reservoir Ave and Vine St on MLK Drive and will head towards Zeidler Union Sqaure.
One of the main issues ARPI-MKE wants to address with this march is fair voting rights. According to a recent Brennan Center for Justice report on voting laws, between January 1, 2021 to July 14, 2021, more than 400 bills with provisions that restrict voting access have been introduced in 49 states in the 2021 legislative sessions.
“I believe in this march because of its cause 58 years ago…unfortunately we’re back where we started,” said ARPI-MKE Chapter Vice President and Event Organizer Decorah Gordon. “It’s like a tug of war and we need more people on our side.”
Gordon wants to help the community learn how to vote because she said a lot of people are uneducated on the subject, especially with the new voter ID requirements and limited access to early and mail-in voting. Yet, even with all of the restrictions, she encourages the community to go out and vote when the time comes.
“You don’t know until you try. Get involved. Realize this is your voice,” said Gordon. “In our last election, a lot of people should see that we were heard across the country…don’t have a negative mind about [voting]. Think about who you are helping.”
As an organization that’s all about honoring the legacy of Randolph, Gordon noticed the anniversary date for the March on Washington was approaching. With all that is being faced in Washington D.C., where the APRI National President Clayola Brown has been standing frontline with Black Voters Matter, Gordon announced and started planning the march in June.
Along with being an organizer and playing an important role in the civil rights movement, Randolph founded the labor union Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) in 1925, which brought the power of unionism to millions of Black households. Randolph served as the first president for 10 years.
“It’s important to keep A. Phillips Randolph’s alive and get him known in Wisconsin,” she said.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Deborah Gordon at decorahgordon@gmail.com.