John Lewis

Speech at the March on Washington, August 28, 1963 John Lewis was the 23-year-old chairman of SNCC and the youngest speaker at the march. His draft called the administration's civil rights bill "too little and too late" and was cut back under pressure from march leaders shortly before he spoke. Even softened, it is the sharpest speech of the day, impatient with both parties and with the slow pace of federal protection in the South. Hear it beside King's address from the same podium to understand that the march held more than one mood.