1965 Freedom Rally 60th Anniversary

The year 2025 marks the 60th Anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Rally led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ruth Batson, Alan Gartner, Reverend Virgil Wood and Dr. Ralph Abernathy. The rally took place on April 23, 1965, with over 20,000 people marching on Boston Common to protest racial inequities in housing and schools. The march began at Carter Playground, at the corner of Columbus Ave., and ended at Boston Common where MLK called on Boston to “be the testing ground for the ideal of freedom.” 

Join us on April 26, 2025, and be one of 10,000 voices standing together in hope and action! This is your moment to prove that Boston remains a powerful force for freedom and human dignity, just as Dr. King saw it. Don't wait—take action now! 

What to bring 

• If your budget permits and you would like to create your own signage for the rally please use the following guidelines  
• When designing and using rally signs, it's important to adhere to guidelines that promote safety, environmental responsibility, and respect for public spaces. Here are some key responsible guidelines: 

Material Choice: 

• Recyclable Materials: Use materials like cardboard, poster board, or corrugated plastic that can be recycled. Avoid materials that are difficult to dispose of, like foam boards or PVC plastic. 
• Eco-friendly Inks: If you're using paint or markers, choose non-toxic, eco-friendly inks or paints that won’t harm the environment if the sign is discarded. 
• Avoid Excessive Use of Plastic: Use as little plastic as possible, especially single-use plastics. If plastic is necessary, consider using reusable materials that can be repurposed later. 

Sign Durability: 

• Sturdy Construction: Ensure your signs are durable enough to withstand wind and other weather conditions but not so heavy or large that they pose a hazard or are difficult to handle. 
• No Sharp Edges: Make sure the edges of signs and materials are not sharp to avoid injury when handling or if they’re accidentally dropped. 

Size and Visibility: 

• Appropriate Size: Signs should be large enough to be readable but not so large that they obstruct views or create hazards in crowds or public spaces. 
• Clear and Readable: Make sure the text and graphics on the signs are clear and easy to read from a distance. Avoid overly complex designs that may cause confusion. 

Safety and Mobility: 

• Handles and Sticks: If using sticks or poles to hold the sign, ensure they are made from lightweight, non-toxic materials like wood or bamboo. Avoid using metal poles or anything that could become a weapon in a crowded area. 
• Consider Other People’s Safety: Be mindful that your sign doesn’t block pathways, obscure the view of others, or create a tripping hazard, especially in crowded rally environments. 

Content Responsibility: 

• Respectful Messaging: Ensure that the messages on the signs are respectful and non-offensive to others, avoiding hate speech or derogatory language. Content should align with the purpose of the rally in a positive, constructive manner: 
• 📢***PREFERRED MESSAGING***📢 
• FORWARD. TOGETHER. 
• BOSTON: A POWERFUL FORCE FOR FREEDOM AND HUMAN DIGNITY 

Environmental Considerations: 

• Post-Event Disposal: Have a plan for responsible disposal of your sign materials after the rally. If they can't be reused, make sure they are disposed of correctly, ideally recycling when possible. 
• Leave No Trace: Follow the principle of "Leave No Trace," ensuring that you clean up any materials you brought with you, and that public spaces are left clean and undisturbed after the rally. 

What to wear 

• Branded group apparel: Show your collective presence and commemorate this moment by wearing your group's existing branded apparel "FORWARD. TOGETHER." Rally T-Shirts 
• Please reach out to [email protected] to order Rally T-Shirts for your group by 3/14/25. If you are making an order of 100 or more shirts, customization to include your group's logo is available.  
• Comfortable shoes, jacket, poncho, umbrella, hat, handheld fan  
• Be mindful of the weather and dress accordingly 

Collective Action Stations  

• The rally is an opportunity to provide resources and create accessibility to community members to address the issues of today. To request a Collective Action Station, please email [email protected].  

Getting there 

• If you're interested in walking along the historic 1965 route from Carter Field to The Boston Common, contact [email protected] for a map to help guide your planning. 
• Boston Common is easily accessible by public transportation. We recommend taking the T to Park Street Station, which is just steps away from the 1965 Freedom Rally. If you plan to drive, please note that parking is limited, so consider carpooling or using rideshare services. 
• Information on free buses and vans: TBD  

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