Civil Rights March Re-Enactment Events Coming To Annapolis, Glen Burnie

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD - Anne Arundel County will commemorate the 60th anniversary of a major civil rights march with a weekend of events in Annapolis and Glen Burnie.

The highlight is the re-enactment of the March on Washington on Saturday. The original march was on Aug. 28, 1963 and featured the "I Have a Dream" speech from Martin Luther King Jr. 

This Saturday's march will head from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to Annapolis City Dock. Organizers expect thousands to attend from around Maryland.

The Morgan State University Marching Band will lead the march starting at 10 a.m. Civic and religious organizations will also join the march. Planners encouraged participants to bring signs about current civil rights issues. 

Marchers will leave Navy Stadium at Gate 5 (blue lot), travel down Clay Street, turn onto Calvert Street, head to Franklin Street, go around Church Circle, walk down Main Street and end at City Dock. Drivers should expect rolling road closures.

Youth activities start Saturday at 10 a.m. at Susan Campbell Park, located at 1 Dock Street. This will showcase young people from around the state, including winners of the art and dance contests.

Speakers will follow at the park starting at noon. Guest Speakers will include Morgan State University President David Wilson and NAACP Maryland State Conference President Willie Flowers.

Marchers will also recognize the 500 Anne Arundel County residents who took buses to the original March on Washington. Those residents gathered at what's now People’s Park, located at Clay Street and Calvert Street.

Artist Nikki Brooks will lead a commemorative civil rights mural painting at the Banneker-Douglass Museum, located at 84 Franklin Street. Planners asked mural participants to arrive as early as 8 a.m. The march will stop by the mural to see the final result.

Parking is available at Navy Stadium. A free shuttle will take participants to their cars after the events. Downtown parking is also available at the newly rebuilt Noah Hillman Garage, located at 150 Duke of Gloucester Street.

Saturday events will end at 4 p.m.

The events resume Sunday in Glen Burnie. 

Fresh Start Church, located at 120 N. Langley Road, will host a health resource fair at 1 p.m. A worship service and vigil will follow from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Registration is recommended for Saturday and required for Sunday. The registration form is posted at aacaal.org/mow60thanniversary.

The weekend is sponsored by the Caucus of African American Leaders, Banneker-Douglass Museum, Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, and United Black Clergy of Anne Arundel County.

“Join us as we commemorate, educate, and activate Marylanders, honoring this milestone in history led by Martin Luther King Jr. and paving the way for a brighter future,” Carl Snowden, Convener of the Caucus of African American Leaders, said in a press release.

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