Ei-iE

28 August marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was during this March that American activist Martin Luther King delivered his iconic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, calling for an end to racism in the US.

The event led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and other progressive programmes and rights that Americans still enjoy today.

EI’s affiliates in the US, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have joined with civil rights organisations, women's and student groups, environmentalists and other unions to celebrate this important milestone in the history of the civil rights struggle.

Time to realise the dreamOn 24 August, AFT and NEA leaders and members participated in a massive rally - the “ Action to Realize the Dream March and Rally for Jobs, Justice & Freedom"- organised at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

“This March is not just a commemoration, but a continuation of the efforts of 50 years ago,” noted NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “While we celebrate all that was achieved, we recognise that the Dream has not been fulfilled and the battle for justice is ongoing.”

AFT President Randy Weingarten said: “The 1963 March is part of the AFT's proud history fighting for civil rights. We were on the ground, helping to organise and mobilise for the historic event. Denying a first-class public education is something we didn't accept then, and we don't accept it now.”

Education transformative power EI believes the ‘Dream’ of social transformation can be achieved through universal free quality education.

EI also believes that quality education involves human rights education, because it contributes widely to building a culture of peace, uniting nations and bringing human beings closer together.

Indeed, the 2011 EI Resolution on Human and Social Rights Education states that human and social rights education is an essential element to encourage commitment to social justice and solidarity, combat social prejudices and discrimination, as well as racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia and other forms of bias.

“One of EI’s founding principles is the advocacy of Human and Trade Union Rights,” said EI President Susan Hopgood. “We will continue the struggle for social justice, addressing racial intolerance and xenophobia through education and the promotion of human and trade union rights and values.”

Additional links:

To see AFT President Randi Weingarten’s remarks, please click here

To read Dennis Van Roekel’s remarks at the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, please click here

To read about the AFT and the 1963 March on Washington please click here

Click here for Lesson plans and materials for teachers on the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom