St. Paul, Minn. – On Wednesday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m. Congressman Keith Ellison will join local leaders and groups in a march to the Minnesota State Capitol to commemorate and celebrate the historic March On Washington which occurred 50 years ago on August 28, 1963.
As citizens across the country converge on our nation’s capital, here in Minnesota, social and economic justice groups will come together to commemorate the March and to continue the fight for jobs, freedom and justice. Today, disparities in education, employment, and wages; a fair pathway to citizenship for all immigrants; and a justice system that protects all its citizens are at the forefront of realizing Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a just society. The minimum wage, adjusted for inflation, was $9.45 in 1963. Today, it’s $7.25 nationally and $6.15 in Minnesota.
Congressman Ellison will lead the march starting at Boyd Park in St. Paul at 11:00. The march will follow John Ireland Boulevard, ending at the Minnesota State Capitol South Mall near the War Memorials where Congressman Ellison will kick off a program around noon.
The commemoration is being organized by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) African-American caucus, AFRAM Minnesota Chapter.
WHAT:
Minnesota Commemoration: 50th Anniversary of March On Washington
WHEN:
Wednesday, August 28
11:00 a.m. – March Begins
12:00 p.m. – Program Begins
(Congressman Ellison will speak at top of program; the reading of “I Have A Dream” speech to happen around 12:30.)
WHERE:
March begins: Boyd Park at Selby & Farrington, St. Paul
Program: Minnesota State Capitol
(The program will happen south of Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Boulevard, on the south mall near the War Memorials to avoid Capitol construction.)
WHO:
Congressman Keith Ellison
SEIU Local 284
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota
SEIU Local 26
Nellie Stone Johnson Foundation
Shiloh Temple International Ministries
ISAIAH
Neighborhoods Organizing for Change
Education Minnesota
Minnesotans for a Fair Economy
St. Paul Regional Labor Federation
AFL-CIO
A. Philip Randolph Institute
African American Action Coalition
Occupy Homes MN
MEDIA ADVISORY for Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.
Kate Brickman | Media Relations Coordinator, SEIU | 612-460-1219
