'I Have a Dream' speech reenacted in Milwaukee park



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It has been 50 years since the March on Washington ended with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, and on Saturday, August 24th, crowds in Milwaukee gathered to reflect on his legacy.

"It means basically justice, equality, everybody is equal. We all need to love one another and fight for one another," said Tracey Dent, President of Peace for Change Alliance.

The anniversary event brought multiple ethnicities together in solidarity and, channeling the 1963 mass march, those present hit the pavement to turn words into movement and action.

"It's time to reshape his dream," said Dent. "Now it's time to turn it into a victory. We're at a stage where we need to fight harder in a different direction. He always said fight with your mind, not your fists. That's what we need to do as a community."

King's dream was embodied in a powerful and groundbreaking speech that was reenacted at Victory Over Violence Park Saturday morning.

"We need to understand what it means for there to be a dream and for people to have access to obtain that dream," said State Senator Lena Taylor.

While many believe that society has come a long way since Dr. King spoke those famous words, many believe there is more to be done.

"He talked about the dreams he had for his children and for many Americans, those dreams are still unfulfilled," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. "It's a day of celebration but it's also a day where we have to challenge ourselves to be better and give every child in this country a chance."

Mayor Barrett declared August 24th "I Have a Dream Day" throughout the entire city of Milwaukee, hoping to keep King's dream alive.