March on Washington celebration gets emotional at Constitution Center [photos]
The National Constitution Center celebrated the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington with a stirring performance by singer Alexis P. Suter. The blues/soul singer belted out songs of the civil rights era in a way that moved some audience members to tears.
Suter even moved herself to tears as she sang “Let It Be.” The play list also included “How I Got Over,” “None of Us Are Free,” “If I had a Hammer” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”
After Suter’s performance, a group of 13 young local actors and students took the stage for a dramatic reading of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
“That was beautiful. I’m trying not to cry,” said Louisa Shafia, a visitor from Brooklyn. Shafia brought her niece and nephew to the event, hoping to open their eyes to the way things were.
“Things have changed so much since the march,” she said. “It’s a good thing for them to learn about.”
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.