Marches on Washington and in NewYork.

Over 40 years ago an estimated 250,000 people marched on Washington to promote Civil Rights for all Americans. They gathered before the beautiful Lincoln Monument to listen to speeches: they prayed and they sang. It was there that Dr. Martin Luther King gave his most famous speech, "I Have a Dream." That was in 1963; five years later he was assassinated. In 1968, he was involved in organizing the "Poor People Campaign" which related to economic justice. Demands were made for financial aid for the many poor communities in the United States.

In New York, on December 2000, some 10,000 people marched to demand clemency and the release of Leonard Peltier, who they believed was innocent of a crime for which he received two life sentences. The crime related to the killing two FBI agents. President Bill Clinton could have given him a pardon but failed to do so.

Recently there was a suggestion that another march on Washington should be held. This was viewed as being a major problem because the Homeland Land security people could turn down any permit that might be granted.

Rather than another march on Washington it had been suggested that a gathering of Indian Peoples be held on June 21, starting with a sun-rise ceremony. That date has been rescheduled for May 27. This gathering is for peace in the world and for a retrial for Leonard Peltier. There is sufficient evidence to suggest a miscarriage of justice did take place and that a pardon or retrial should be given.