THOUSANDS of people gathered on Washington’s National Mall on Saturday, ahead of tomorrow’s 60th anniversary of the historic civil rights movement march on the US capital.

The 1963 march is perhaps most famous for Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech. But 60 years later, the country remains deeply divided by racial inequality, leaving the dream unfulfilled.

Global Black Economic Forum president Alphonso David asked: “Have we reached the mountaintop?” then added: “Not by a long shot.”

This year’s commemoration event was convened by the Kings Drum Major Institute and civil rights leader Al Sharpton’s National Action Network. 

A host of black civil rights leaders and a multiracial, interfaith coalition rallied on the same spot where as many as 250,000 people gathered in 1963 for what is still considered one of the greatest demonstrations for racial justice in US history.

This time, women took centre stage after only one female speaker took to the podium 60 years ago: legendary entertainer Josephine Baker. 

Ms Baker undertook clandestine missions for the French resistance during World War II and was awarded France’s highest honour in 2021 when she was inducted into the Pantheon, the nation’s mausoleum of heroes.

Yolanda King, the 15-year-old granddaughter of Dr King, roused marchers from the same spot where the civil rights legend gave his famous speech.

“If I could speak to my grandfather today, I would say I’m sorry we still have to be here to rededicate ourselves to finishing your work and ultimately realising your dream,” she said. 

Mr Sharpton promised more demonstrations against injustices, new and old.

He said: “Sixty years ago, Martin Luther King talked about a dream. Sixty years later we’re the dreamers. The problem is we’re facing the schemers. 

“The dreamers are fighting for voting rights. The schemers are changing voter regulations in states. The dreamers are standing up for women’s right to choose. The schemers are arguing whether they are going to make you stop at six weeks or 15 weeks.”

Rosetta Manns-Baugh was a Trailways bus counter worker in 1963 when she left her seven children and husband at home in Virginia to go to Washington. Bringing three generations of her family to the anniversary, she said: “We all are here because we do expect the world to get better.”