CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- The March on Washington honors the 57th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have A Dream" speech.
Thousands of people are commemorating the event across the country, including our own region.
Dozens of people marched on Washington Street in Carbondale Friday, to honor those who fought for equality during the civil rights movement.
Organizer Nancy Maxwell says the event was about educating those about our nation's history as well as the history in our local towns.
Speakers and presentations took place to talk about civil rights figures like John Lewis, who was the last living speaker from the March on Washington.
Maxwell says participants learned about a woman from Carbondale named Genevieve Houghton, who was a freedom rider and died during the bus bombing.
One participant hopes this event inspires change.
"Well in August of 1963, that's when the March on Washington happened in Washington D.C. And here August of 2020, we're still dealing with the same issues. So we feel it's relevant and we need to do this. We've been hurting and need to bring the community together...so why not?" said Matt Wilson.
Maxwell says the rainy weather was never going to stop the event.
Vendors were also available to showcase their businesses.
She says more events will be coming up to bring the community together.
