March of Mourning Set for Nation's Capitol
Item
Title
March of Mourning Set for Nation's Capitol
Description
Plans for a March on Washington, organized by civil rights activist and labor leader A. Philip Randolph, gained momentum in 1941. African Americans were frustrated by racial discrimination in the defense industry, one of largest industries at the time. African American leaders envisioned tens of thousands of marchers parading through the city and ending at the Lincoln Memorial. That Randolph choose the Lincoln Memorial as a rallying point was not surprising: the site had served as focal point for civil rights since segregated audiences participated in the memorial dedication in 1922.
Source
The Chicago Defender (National edition).
Date
5/17/1941
Coverage
1920-1949
topic
civil rights
politics & protest