Part of the Series
Moyers and Company
John Lewis, American civil rights activist and (future) member of the House of Representatives (D-Georgia), at meeting of American Society of Newspaper Editors, April 16, 1964. (Photo: Marion S. Trikosko, U.S. News and World Reports / Wikimedia)I’m writing to let you know of one of the most important and engaging broadcasts we’ve done in this series. Fifty years ago on August 28, 1963, more than a quarter-million people descended on the nation’s capital in a peaceful petition for “jobs and freedoms” that became the historic March on Washington. Ten civil rights leaders addressed the nation that day from the Lincoln Memorial. One of course was Martin Luther King, Jr., with his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. But the youngest speaker of the day — and the only one still living — was 23-year-old John Lewis, then head of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. Lewis had been almost beaten to death two years earlier in the Freedom Rides of 1961. Two years after the March on Washington, he would almost be beaten to death a second time. He survived and is today the representative for the 5th U.S. Congressional District of Georgia.
Earlier this summer John Lewis took me back to the spot at the Lincoln Memorial where he had led off the speakers on that historic day. As we walked up the steps, he was surrounded by young people visiting Washington who were fascinated to meet this American icon in person. With Abraham Lincoln looking down on us, John Lewis recounted for the children what had unfolded there half a century ago. Later, in Lewis’ office, we pored over photographs and mementos of that day and that era when our history was transformed.
My team and I have brought these elements together in a moving portrait of a man who has lived his life with extraordinary moral consistency and courage. The broadcast airs this upcoming weekend (check local listings) on Moyers & Company, one month before the 50th anniversary itself. I hope you’ll join us.
In the meantime, enjoy these two previews from the show, as well as a detailed look at the changes Lewis was encouraged to make in his speech just before he began.
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
And if you feel uncertain about what to do in the face of a second Trump administration, we invite you to be an indispensable part of Truthout’s preparations.
In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
We’re asking all of our readers to start a monthly donation or make a one-time donation – as a commitment to stand with us on day one of Trump’s presidency, and every day after that, as we produce journalism that combats authoritarianism, censorship, injustice, and misinformation. You’re an essential part of our future – please join the movement by making a tax-deductible donation today.
If you have the means to make a substantial gift, please dig deep during this critical time!
With gratitude and resolve,
Maya, Negin, Saima, and Ziggy