President Kennedy Meets with Leaders of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, 1963 President Kennedy greets the organizers of the March on Washington shortly after the march concluded on August 28, 1963. Kennedy had originally opposed this large demonstration for fear it might interfere with passage of his civil rights bill pending in Congress. However, he had no choice in the matter as civil rights leaders went ahead. The march proved a great success, and Kennedy welcomed its leaders to the White House. Pictured from left to right are Whitney Young, Martin Luther King Jr., Rabbi Jaoachim Prinz, A. Philip Randolph, President Kennedy, and Walter Reuther.

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