Hundreds gather at Leimert Park to remember March on Washington

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People arrive at the National Mall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. (Pete Marovich / Getty Images)

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A rally on the National Mall celebrates the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. (Pete Marovich / Getty Images)

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Martin Luther King III waves from the Lincoln Memorial with his wife, Arndrea King, and their daughter Yolanda. (Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press)

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Tens of thousands line the National Mall at the rally honoring the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)

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People listen to speakers during the 50th anniversary celebration of the March on Washington at the National Mall. (Olivier Douliery / McClatchy-Tribune)

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People gather in Washington for the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)

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Tens of thousands gathered at the National Mall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. (Pete Marovich / Getty Images)

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People arrive at the National Mall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. (Pete Marovich / Getty Images)

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Marchers commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. (Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images)

By Carla Rivera

Aug. 24, 2013 3:59 PM PT

Hundreds of people gathered Saturday in Leimert Park to hear speeches and witness reenactments commemorating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.

The events began about 9 a.m. with a march along Martin Luther King Jr. and Crenshaw boulevards to Leimert Park Plaza, near 43rd Street and Degnan Boulevard in the historic center of the city’s black cultural arts district.

A rally in the plaza featured actor Keith David portraying the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivering the famous “I Have a Dream” speech. City Controller Ron Galperin portrayed Joachim Prinz, a German-American rabbi and civil rights activist who spoke just before King at the 1963 march.

Los Angeles performer Marva Smith portrayed legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, whose spiritual from the podium ignited the 1963 crowd.

Other reenactment figures included labor leader Walter Reuther and civil rights activist Daisy Bates.

Speakers at the daylong event included Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson, California Assembly Speaker John Perez and Maria Elena Durazo of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

The event was sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Council of Southern California, the Los Angeles branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and other civil rights and labor groups.

Organizers planned other events to educate the public on voting, education, jobs and health issues. Activities include an Aug. 26 Brotherhood Day concert by the Inner City Youth Orchestra of L.A. at Walt Disney Concert Hall and a tribute Aug. 28 hosted by Rep. Janice Hahn (D-San Pedro) at El Camino College Compton Center.

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