March On Washington

March on Washington Movement (1940s)

Overview of the 1940s March on Washington

  • The 1940s March on Washington was a pivotal moment focused on the threat of a march organized by A. Philip Randolph.

  • It aimed to address job discrimination in defense industries during World War II.

  • This event was crucial in leading to Executive Order 8802, issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

    • Executive Order 8802: Banned racial discrimination in war work and established the Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC).

  • The actual march was ultimately canceled due to the effectiveness of the pressure exerted on the government, but it established a significant model for future Black activism and highlighted demands for economic justice.

Key Points

  • Organizer: A. Philip Randolph, a prominent civil rights leader and head of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

  • Primary Goal: To demand Black access to jobs in the burgeoning defense industries and the armed forces and to end segregation.

  • Threat of March: Randolph proposed bringing 100,000 African Americans to Washington D.C. in July 1941 to compel action.

  • Outcome of the Threat: President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802 in response, which prohibited racial discrimination in war industries and led to the establishment of the FEPC.

  • Following Action: Although the march was canceled, Randolph formed the March on Washington Movement (MOWM) to continue advocating for civil rights, setting a precedent for subsequent mass gatherings, including the historic March on Washington in 1963.

Opposition by the NAACP

  • The NAACP's hesitance was based on several concerns:

    • Fear of Backlash: Leaders, notably Roy Wilkins, feared that a mass march could incite violence and damage public perception of civil rights, potentially hindering President Kennedy's legislative efforts.

    • Legislative Focus: The NAACP historically preferred working through courts and Congress, believing mass protests were less effective and overly naive.

    • Distrust of Organizers: Concerns about Bayard Rustin—chief organizer due to his previous communist affiliations and sexual orientation—arising from fears over damaged reputation for the movement.

    • Leadership and Funding: Fears existed about overshadowing existing leadership and risking loss of control, which could impact fundraising and influence.

    • Premature Announcement: Wilkins critiqued Randolph’s unilateral announcement about the march, viewing it as misaligned with coordinated efforts among civil rights groups.

SNCC's Roles and Perspectives

  • Sponsorship & Logistics: The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) took on a role as a sponsor, assisting in organizing transportation for Black communities from the South to attend the March.

  • John Lewis's Speech: John Lewis, the youngest speaker, delivered a resonant speech critiquing the federal government’s inaction and the ineffectiveness of the proposed civil rights bill.

  • Emphasis on Immediate Change: SNCC highlighted the urgency for revolutionary reforms, pushing back against merely legislative changes and pointing out critical issues like police brutality that were overlooked by the proposed bill.

  • Internal Debates: Although SNCC supported the march’s strength, some members felt it still did not adequately confront systemic oppression, reflecting ongoing debates with more traditional civil rights organizations.

Bayard Rustin's Role

  • Significance: Rustin was the primary organizer of the 1963 March on Washington and was instrumental in its extensive planning despite facing discrimination due to his sexual orientation and pacifist history.

  • Master Planner: Developed a comprehensive organizational manual that orchestrated logistics for over 200,000 attendees, covering water distribution, first aid, security marshals, and transportation.

  • Nonviolent Strategy: As a committed pacifist and mentor to Martin Luther King Jr., Rustin imparted teachings on nonviolent resistance, ensuring the march proceeded without violence.

  • Behind-the-Scenes Genius: His logistical efforts were vital for the event's success, although he often remained unrecognized publicly because of societal biases.

Government Opposition and Concerns

  • Fears of Violence: Government officials expressed worries about the potential for chaos at the expected gathering of approximately 250,000 individuals, leading to discussions about possible prohibitions and draft legislation.

  • Pressure from President Kennedy: Initially, Kennedy encouraged leaders to cancel the march due to fears that it might intimidate Congress and disrupt the prospects for the civil rights bill.

  • Proposed Congressional Actions: Some proposed resolutions and bills aimed to curtail mass protests; however, these legislative attempts did not succeed.

  • Accusations of Communism: FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover along with anti-communist factions accused the march's organizers of being influenced by communist ideologies as a means to discredit the mobilization effort.

Organizers' Response

  • Despite the external pressures and opposition, leaders, including A. Philip Randolph and Martin Luther King Jr., maintained that the march was necessary to compel congressional action, refusing to agree to its cancellation.

  • Compromises Made: To placate moderates and government concerns, organizers decided to voluntary scale back some of their radical demands and elements of civil disobedience, though youth factions demonstrated resistance to these concessions.

Outcome of the March

  • The March on Washington occurred as planned and was largely peaceful, with only three arrests, which demonstrated the effectiveness of the organizers’ vision and countered the anticipated chaos.

  • The success of the march significantly mobilized public support and momentum towards the eventual passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.