On the 50th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, PFAW Foundation’s African American Religious Affairs program joined the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and dozens of organizational allies who gathered in Washington, D.C. for a historic rally to fight racism and remember Dr. King’s true legacy.

Against the ongoing struggles faced by the civil rights movement, Dr. King said during his last speech, “Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point.”

The struggle for equity and justice continues to this day and at PFAW Foundation we believe we still cannot turn back—that we must stand up against hate and continue to work to dismantle racism and white supremacy.

To mark this tragic and important anniversary, the rally lifted up critical concepts for eradicating the entrenched racism that grips the United States and hinders our ability to see every human being as equal, with the acronym ACT:

AWAKEN ourselves to the truth that racism is ever-present, deeply rooted in American culture, and profoundly damaging to our communities.

CONFRONT racism, speak truth to ourselves, our communities and institutions, and stand against injustice.

TRANSFORM the hearts, minds, and behaviors of people and structures that shape society.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. died 50 years ago, but religious and civil rights leaders and activists still carry on his legacy.  For me, this includes the work I do to engage youth of color to take action, get civically engaged, and vote:

As an activist, I am working to empower young communities of color to take action, get civically engaged, and vote! That is how I take forward Dr. King’s legacy. #MLK50 @Mic @MsPackyetti pic.twitter.com/cV26BDwphe

— Bradley E. Williams (@B_RadWill) April 4, 2018