Activists fight Beck for King legacy

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Civil rights movement veterans and activists gathered Saturday in the football stadium of a local black high school to celebrate the words of Martin Luther King Jr. in his 1963 "I have a dream" speech, an event that was overshadowed by the larger rally organized by Fox News host Glenn Beck at the site where King spoke.

Organizers of Beck's rally said it was meant to "restore" America's dignity, honor the sacrifice of its patriots and promote the values of faith, hope and charity — key components of what is thought of as the "American dream."

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Both rallies claimed to represent King's legacy, and featured members of the slain civil rights leader's family as speakers.

Martin Luther King III, King's son, was among those scheduled to speak at the counter-rally led by Al Sharpton. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and NAACP president Benjamin Todd Jealous also were to speak.

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Demonstrators wrapped around the block, banging drums and slapping tambourines. A funk bank played Marvin Gaye covers inside the stadium, as participants waved a large pan African flag overhead.

"Never again will we allow our history to be stolen or robbed by other people!" Dunbar High principal Steven Jackson declared to the roaring crowd.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) took a shot at Beck. "Glenn Beck's march will change nothing. But you can't blame Glenn Beck for his march envy. His message can't match ours," she said, before organizers cut her microphone because she was running overtime.

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