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Press Statement August 25, 2020

Virtual March on Washington Programming to Feature Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Cory Booker, Stacey Abrams, Rev. William Barber, Among Others

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Politicians, activists, performers, highlight virtual programming on 57th anniversary of March on Washington 

BALTIMORE -- Today, the NAACP announced the list of high-profile speakers and performers participating in the 2020 Virtual March on Washington programming on August 27th and 28th. Before civil rights leaders, activists, and families of those who died at the hands of law enforcement attend the in-person march on August 28th, speakers are expected to call for police accountability reform and mobilize voters ahead of the November elections.

 The virtual march is a part of a series of events led by the NAACP, National Action Network, and a coalition of civil rights partners — including Martin Luther King, III, and the families of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor — to commemorate the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington. Over several days, thousands will physically and virtually March on Washington as a part of the Commitment March to recommit to the dream Dr. Martin Luther King defined in the 1963 march.

Rev. William Barber will give the keynote address for the virtual march, followed by speeches from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. Brenda Lawrence, Stacey Abrams, April Ryan, Tamika Mallory, Yusef Salaam, and more. H.E.R., Macy Gray, BeBe Winans, and Lisa Ramey are some of the names expected to perform.

"These speakers embody everything this movement stands for; collectively, they've spent their lives working tirelessly against racial discrimination, advocating for equal access to the polls, fighting for justice, and they continue to use their platforms to call for reforms of the systems that enable police brutality and voter disenfranchisement," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of NAACP. "Our 2020 Virtual March on Washington is about pursuing equity, justice, and equal opportunity for all, and we look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate our collective power by marching and demanding accountability." 

The NAACP will also execute a robust civic engagement effort with multiple levers of change, including registering participants to vote and encouraging them to participate in the Census. 

A series of virtual and in-person programming will take place on the following dates:

  • THE CALL: Thursday, August 27, 8pm ET: There will be virtual programming carried on television networks and key social media platforms, including musical performances, remarks from young activists and emerging organizations and other entertainment.
  • THE MARCH: Friday, August 28, 11am ET: There will be a Virtual March on Washington, streamed across key social media platforms and television networks. Led by Martin Luther King, III, and the families of Black people who have died at the hands of police officers, thousands will virtually March on Washington to restore and recommit to the dream Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. defined in 1963. The virtual march will be in partnership with a socially distant, in-person march for those in the D.C. area. 
  • THE CHARGE: Friday, August 28, 9pm ET: The event will conclude with a night of virtual programming, including a major keynote address from Rev. William Barber, and musical performances by award-winning artists.

Coming days after both the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention, the 2020 Virtual March on Washington will set forth a bold new Black agenda — advocating for comprehensive police accountability reform, economic empowerment, and equitable access to health care, education, and the voting booths. For more information, visit 2020march.com. 

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ABOUT THE NAACP

Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. The NAACP is a c4 organization (contributions are not tax-deductible), and we have a partner c3 organization known as the NAACP Empowerment Programs (contributions are fully tax-deductible as allowed by the IRS). 

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund — also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation's first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.