A. Philip Randolph: “Call to Negro America to March on Washington”

Essential Quotes

“While billions of the taxpayers’ money are being spent for war weapons, Negro workers are finally being turned away from the gates of factories, mines and mills—being flatly told, ‘Nothing Doing.’”

“With faith and confidence of the Negro people in their own power for self-liberation, Negroes can break down the barriers of discrimination against employment in National Defense.”

“We propose that ten thousand Negroes March on Washington for jobs in national defense and equal integration in the fighting forces of the United States.”

“But if American democracy will not defend its defenders; if American democracy will not protect its protectors; if American democracy will not give jobs to its toilers because of race or color; if American democracy will not insure equality of opportunity, freedom and justice to its citizens, black and white, it is a hollow mockery and belies the principles for which it is supposed to stand.”